Ferrari ambassador saw a ‘very important’ sign from Lewis Hamilton but he’s not Monaco GP favourite

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Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene believes Lewis Hamilton will have a chance to win the 2026 F1 Monaco Grand Prix, but he suspects Charles Leclerc is more likely to triumph.

Gene is very optimistic about Ferrari’s chances heading into the Monaco GP weekend, as the streets of the Principality are likely to suit the SF-26. The Scuderia also arrive at the first race in Europe this term on the back of Hamilton taking their best result so far in 2026 in Canada.

Hamilton finished second in the Canadian Grand Prix last time out, after overtaking Red Bull rival Max Verstappen to reclaim the position, which marked his best finish as a Ferrari driver to date. Leclerc has taken two podiums so far in 2026, yet has not finished higher than third.

Many in the paddock now believe that Ferrari’s first win of the 2026 F1 season might be on the cards in Monte Carlo, too. Hamilton’s speed in Canada’s first sector suggests Ferrari will be quick in Monaco, as the slow-speed start to a lap in Montreal provides some similarities.

The jewel in the crown is upon us! Who’s your pick for the Monaco Grand Prix? 👑

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Marc Gene thinks Charles Leclerc is more likely than Lewis Hamilton to win in Monaco

Gene shares the belief that Ferrari’s speed in Canada’s first sector is an encouraging sign for their chances in Monaco. He also feels it was “very important” to see Hamilton perform as well as he did in Canada, and that the Briton could now take his first Ferrari win in Monaco.

READ MORE: F1 experts predict the Monaco GP, from pole to Ferrari’s race win chances

However, while Gene is optimistic about Hamilton’s chances at the Monaco GP, he suspects that Leclerc will have the better chance of winning Sunday’s race. Leclerc took pole position for his home race in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and he also scored an emotional victory in 2024.

Gene told Mundo Deportivo. “Firstly, because we’re coming off a second-place finish in Canada with Hamilton – and seeing Hamilton competitive is very important.

“Then, this weekend there’s Monaco, and it’s a track where we’ll be good. I think Leclerc will have a chance, and so will Hamilton, but Leclerc will have a chance to win the race.

“If we look at the first sector in Canada, which was the slowest, we were really fast there – we were on par with Mercedes. And, historically, Ferrari have always done very well in Monaco.

“And because of the type of track, where the engine isn’t as important, I think we’re going to be very competitive in Monaco.”

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While Ferrari’s engine is inferior compared to Mercedes’ power unit so far this season, the belief among the F1 paddock is that the SF-26’s chassis is better suited to Monaco’s streets than the W17. So, Leclerc and Hamilton are widely seen to be among the favourites to win.

It has even been claimed that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is on edge about Ferrari ahead of the Monaco GP due to the Principality’s slow corners not suiting the W17 as well. And as Leclerc is a specialist at his home circuit, Ferrari’s first win of 2026 could be coming.

Hamilton has also taken pole position at the Monaco GP twice in his career, coming back in 2015 and 2019 for Mercedes. The seven-time F1 champion also won the crown jewel event with McLaren in 2008 and later with Mercedes in 2016 and 2019. Mercedes cost Hamilton another Monaco GP win in 2015, as well, when they mistakenly pitted him from the lead.