Kimi Antonelli hints Lewis Hamilton could get first Ferrari win at Monaco Grand Prix

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Kimi Antonelli has called Ferrari the favourites to win the next F1 race in Monaco despite his ongoing victory streak.

Antonelli stood on the top step of the podium for the fourth successive Grand Prix in Canada, extending Mercedes’ 100% record at the start of the season. Their only defeat came in a Sprint race in Miami.

Mercedes rolled out their first major upgrade package of the season in Montreal. Their advantage was fairly small in qualifying, but it was telling that neither Ferrari nor Red Bull could catch them in the race even as Antonelli and George Russell battled lap after lap.

Kimi Antonelli wins his FOURTH race in a row at the Canadian Grand Prix! How good do his title chances look now?

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Kimi Antonelli: Ferrari’s exhaust winglet makes them the team to beat in Monaco

Antonelli eventually finished around 11 seconds clear of Hamilton, who passed Verstappen late on to take second place.

But speaking to Sky Sports after the race, he predicted that Ferrari would be the quickest team at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Mercedes’ power unit is known to be significantly superior to the Ferrari, which is why the Scuderia are in line to receive ADUO, but that advantage will be nullified by the Monaco layout.

Instead, Ferrari’s class-leading chassis (partly rooted in their ingenious exhaust design) could make all the difference, potentially giving Hamilton a chance to bag his first win for the team on the back of his best result in red.

“I think Ferrari will be the team to beat in Monaco so it is going to be very interesting how we do,” said Antonelli. “For sure, Ferrari is the favourite.

Some great performances on track, but which driver was the standout at the Canadian Grand Prix?

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“The wing they have on the back gives them a lot of downforce.”

Ferrari haven’t won a race since the 2024 run-in, when Hamilton’s predecessor Carlos Sainz took victory in Mexico.

If they do have the best package in Monaco, then Hamilton still faces the mighty obstacle of beating Charles Leclerc.

• READ MORE: Charles Leclerc commends Lewis Hamilton’s ‘incredible’ performance at Canadian Grand Prix

Hamilton has outclassed his teammate in China and Canada, two of his strongest circuits, but 2024 Monaco winner Leclerc has always been formidable around his hometown.

The seven-time world champion is looking to end a lengthy, 39-race drought himself. He last picked up 25 points at the Belgian Grand Prix two years ago.