'Flawless' Hamilton may maintain his lead in Monaco.

      Lewis Hamilton could appear as a surprising contender for Ferrari in Monaco after significantly outpacing his teammate Charles Leclerc in Canada, according to Ralf Schumacher. Ferrari arrives in Monte Carlo with increasing expectations. Following the race in Montreal, McLaren's Lando Norris hinted that the Italian team could be a strong favorite for pole position, a sentiment echoed by team principal Andrea Stella, who noted that Ferrari's strengths align well with the famous street circuit.

      Schumacher suggests that Hamilton might be in a better position than anticipated. "He feels good now," the former Formula 1 driver commented after the Montreal race. "He was comfortable on the track and with the car. He certainly delivered compared to Charles Leclerc."

      While Hamilton finished second and even overtook Max Verstappen during the race, Leclerc faced what he characterized as the most challenging weekend of his career. "Charles Leclerc struggled throughout the weekend," Schumacher remarked to Sky Deutschland. "It shows how quickly things can change. He couldn’t manage the car well, while Lewis executed his job perfectly."

      Schumacher expressed that Hamilton's evident relief post-race was understandable. "He was very pleased, it seemed almost as if he had won," he said. "He deserved it, especially since he was not at all happy after Miami. I’m glad for him."

      The German is skeptical that Ferrari has suddenly become McLaren's primary rival, pointing out that the reigning champions did not fully capitalize on their performance in Canada. "They weren’t at their best that weekend, partly due to a poor tire decision," Schumacher stated. "That's why I question if Ferrari and Lewis Hamilton would have finished second if both McLarens had been competing."

      Nonetheless, he views Monaco as a significant opportunity. "He loves Monaco, and the car performs well there," Schumacher noted regarding Hamilton. "However, Charles Leclerc has always been quite strong in Monaco, so it’s uncertain who will come out on top. The Ferrari excels at traction and using curbs, so at least they are aiming for the win."

      Monaco will also see unique technical adaptations as Formula 1 continues to adjust to the contentious 2026 regulations. The FIA has announced that the active aerodynamic 'straight-line' mode will not be employed at Monaco, following simulations that indicated cars could reach excessive speeds in critical areas of the track. Instead, teams will utilize a specific power-unit setting known as 'Rev1', which is intended to lower speeds by initiating battery derating at approximately 200kph.

      This adjustment effectively diminishes the traditional advantages of overtake mode, as the circuit’s numerous braking zones permit drivers to recharge batteries with relative ease. This change aims to address some of the concerns regarding the heavily electrified new regulations.

      Haas driver Oliver Bearman suggested that Monaco will likely be less challenging than other circuits where energy management has drawn comparisons to 'Mario Kart', due to the abundance of slow corners and braking zones. "It might be a bit more enjoyable to drive, which would be nice," he said. "There’s not much room for innovation regarding energy in Monaco, considering the speed limits. It will probably resemble last year more, allowing us to drive freely, use the gears we choose, and avoid any unnecessary lift-and-coast situations. So, I’m actually quite looking forward to it. It should be good."