Ferrari issues bold Monaco GP prediction as Mercedes dominance questioned

Former Formula 1 driver and F1 TV pundit Jolyon Palmer has questioned Mercedes’ chances of a podium finish at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix forecasting a spectacular 1-2 for Ferrari instead.

The ex-Renault driver joined Tom Clarkson and James Hinchcliffe on the F1 Nation podcast to give his predictions for the Monaco campaign ahead of the drivers of the championship.

Despite Mercedes winning every grand prix so far in the 2026 season Palmer believes the unique narrow streets of Monte Carlo will favour Ferrari. I’m going to be kind of punchy here,” Palmer said. “I’m going to go for Leclerc for the win but I think Hamilton is second. It’s a Ferrari 1-2 and I’m going to say third is Lando [Norris].”

He added: "No Mercedes in the podium. They haven't done well often in Monaco. They’ve had dominant years where Red Bull has beaten them. They've been beaten by Ferrari. You had Seb and Kimi back in the day. They haven been great the past few years either. I don't see them on the podium. So those are my top 3."

Ferrari head into this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix with a newly-announced contract extension for home hero Charles Leclerc and following on from Lewis Hamilton's best performance in a Maranello outfit after finishing second in Canada.

After five rounds Mercedes have a commanding lead in the constructors' standings 219 points to 142. Ferrari now lie second on 147 with McLaren third on 106. Kimi Antonelli is the leader of the drivers championship with 131 points 43 points ahead of his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in second with 88 points.

Now, Antonelli is the youngest driver in the history of the series to lead the championship following back to back wins in China and Japan and he has since added victories in Miami and Canada.

Today kicks off the Monaco Grand Prix weekend with the first two practice sessions.