Pirelli reveals Monaco GP race strategies as Verstappen and Antonelli prepare for showdown

The tight, twisty nature of the Circuit de Monaco has traditionally made overtaking extremely difficult. As a result, the race is often decided by grid position on Saturday. While F1 and Pirelli attempted to introduce a strategic pit-stop twist in 2025, the race still unfolded in a largely processional manner, much like previous editions.

This year, however, with the tyre regulations reverting to their usual format, Pirelli has outlined the expected strategy options for the Monaco race.

For the race in Monaco, Pirelli has brought its softest compounds: C3, C4 and C5. The C5, the softest of the range, offers the best delta from 0 to 150 km/h. The C4 medium requires an additional 1.85 metres to reach that speed, while the C3 hard requires 3.63 metres, according to Pirelli.

In terms of strategy, the Italian tyre manufacturer expects the race to largely play out as a one-stop event. Drivers starting on the soft tyre and switching to hards could pit between laps 29 and 35 to complete a one-stopper. Those starting on mediums could switch to hards between laps 33 and 39 at the Monte Carlo circuit.

Alternatively, drivers opting for a soft-to-medium strategy can also make a one-stop work effectively, with the pit window expected between laps 31 and 37.

Following qualifying, Lewis Hamilton admitted Ferrari had “lost something” heading into the session, despite setting the third-fastest time. After Friday practice, Ferrari had been widely tipped as favourites for pole position, with Hamilton topping the timesheets in FP2. However, as Saturday progressed, it became increasingly clear that the Scuderia were facing a stern challenge from Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen.

In the end, Hamilton finished behind pole-sitter Antonelli and Verstappen, but ahead of team-mate Charles Leclerc, who brushed the barrier during his final flying lap in Q3. Speaking in his post-qualifying interviews, Hamilton began by congratulating the 19-year-old Mercedes driver on securing his first Monaco pole position, before turning his attention to what he described as a “drastically different” SF-26 across the session.

Teammate Charles Leclerc was only quick enough for fourth, Isack Hadjar and George Russell locked out the third row. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualified in seventh and eighth, with Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson completing the top 10 for the race.