Photo: Scuderia Ferrari HP
Vasseur: Monaco will feel completely different under F1's new rules
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expects Formula 1’s new generation of cars to dramatically change the racing in Monaco. With lighter, smaller machines and a revised power-unit philosophy, drivers are set to face a very different experience on the streets of Monte Carlo.
The Monaco Grand Prix has always been one of Formula 1’s most distinctive events, but Fred Vasseur believes this year’s race could feel unlike any previous edition due to the sport’s sweeping 2026 regulations.
Formula 1’s latest technical overhaul has produced cars that are shorter, narrower and significantly lighter than those used in recent seasons. The reduction in dimensions, combined with a lower minimum weight, is expected to make the cars more agile through Monaco’s tight and unforgiving streets.
The aerodynamic package has also undergone major changes. Ground-effect tunnels have been replaced by a new floor concept and extended diffuser design, while active aerodynamics have become a key feature of the regulations. However, those systems will not be used during the Monaco weekend.
As a result, drivers are likely to rely more heavily on mechanical grip and tyre management, particularly through the circuit’s slow-speed corners where confidence and precision are essential.
The revised power units will add another layer of complexity. With electrical power now contributing a much larger share of overall performance, drivers will face fresh energy-management challenges throughout the lap, especially on a track where traction and throttle control are critical.
"Monaco is always a unique weekend, and this year it will be particularly interesting with the new generation of cars, which, for the drivers, should feel quite different on this type of circuit. It is a track where qualifying, confidence and execution matter even more than usual, and where every detail can make a difference," Vasseur said in the press release.
The race also carries special significance for Charles Leclerc, who finally achieved a long-awaited home victory in 2024 after several years of disappointment in Monte Carlo. The Ferrari driver backed up that success with another strong result twelve months later.
"For Charles, it is obviously a very special race, in front of his home crowd, while there is always plenty of support for Ferrari from the fans, and we know how much energy he draws from racing in this situation," the Frenchman added.
