As the Monaco Grand Prix weekend gets underway, reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has cast a spotlight on Ferrari’s impressive form on the iconic street circuit. Following Friday’s practice sessions for the 2025 Monaco Grand Prix, Verstappen acknowledged the significant gains made by the Scuderia, stating, “Ferrari again looks very, very fast. If you see over the whole season, I think Ferrari again took a big step forward here.”
Ferrari, particularly Charles Leclerc, topped both Free Practice sessions, demonstrating formidable one-lap pace and surprising many with their immediate competitiveness on the challenging Monegasque streets. This strong showing has certainly ignited anticipation within the racing community, as the prospect of a genuine three-way fight at the front, including McLaren who also showed strong pace, becomes increasingly likely for qualifying and Sunday’s race.
While Red Bull Racing, and Verstappen himself, encountered some setup challenges during Friday’s running, leading to a somewhat uncharacteristic tenth place for Verstappen in FP2, the Dutchman remains confident in his team’s ability to find improvements. “I don’t expect us to be the quickest,” Verstappen commented, “but we want to be a lot closer than what we were in FP2. I’m also quite confident that we can be a lot closer.” His remarks underscore the high stakes at play in Monaco, where qualifying position is paramount due to the notoriously difficult nature of overtaking.
The noticeable step forward for Ferrari in Monte Carlo, coupled with Verstappen’s candid assessment, sets the stage for a thrilling qualifying battle on Saturday and an unpredictable Grand Prix. The unique demands of the Monaco circuit often compress the field, and Ferrari’s strong start suggests they are well-placed to challenge Red Bull and McLaren for victory in one of Formula 1’s most prestigious events.
