Writers Verdict: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix

9th June 2026 0 By ApexMotorsports.co.uk

Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix showcased an entertaining race with seemingly a mix of everything. Here are our writers’ verdicts on the race around the Principality.

Feature image credit: Getty Images // Red Bull Content Pool

Jamile Barcelos – Contributor

Not a dull moment during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. Kimi Antonelli secured his first Grand Chelem, his fifth victory of the season and became the youngest driver ever to win on the streets of Monaco. Another strong performance from the young Mercedes driver further strengthened his position in the championship fight, while teammate George Russell once again struggled to match his pace.

It was a frustrating afternoon for Max Verstappen and Red Bull. After qualifying in P2 and looking competitive throughout the weekend, the Dutchman barely made it into the race before his engine “just dropped dead”, forcing an early retirement. Fortunately, the drivers behind managed to avoid contact with his stranded car, preventing what could have been a much larger incident.

Ferrari also endured a bittersweet weekend. Charles Leclerc suffered a DNF following a brake issue after the race restart, while his teammate claimed P2 and celebrated a podium finish.

With seven retirements, multiple penalties, several incidents and plenty of drama from lights out to the chequered flag, Monaco delivered one of its most entertaining Sundays in recent memory. While some teams leave the Principality with reasons to celebrate, others have plenty of work to do before Formula 1 heads to Spain.

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Sam Wye – Contributor

A controversial race, but surprisingly good entertainment considering the lack of overtaking. The penalties may have seemed ridiculous, but they are the rules, and the FIA were definitely able to cope better this weekend with enforcing the correct penalties for each scenario.

People forget how mentally challenging Monaco is for all the drivers, which is obviously going to lead to more silly mistakes in the pit lane as well as out on track.

As for the championship, the picture is looking bleak now for George Russell, who falls 68 points behind Antonelli and 2 points behind his old teammate, Lewis Hamilton. We saw Lando Norris have a magnificent title comeback last season; however, he never appeared to be struggling quite as much as George is now for so many races.

It’s a huge day in the fight for best of the rest in the constructors’ standings as Alpine’s Pierre Gasly loses his podium to penalties and RB enjoy a brilliant P5 and P6 finish. RB have arguably been the best team this season at maximising results, although Alpine certainly have a quicker car.

It might have been a bad Sunday for Red Bull and Ferrari, losing Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc from the race, but no team will be more disappointed than McLaren, who seem to have taken 2 steps back after an encouraging Miami GP. The team must look into these reliability issues and whether they can fix them. Otherwise, Mercedes might have some questions to answer regarding the engine they supply.

Looking forward to the next race now, where we might finally get some overtaking around the Barcelona circuit with these new regs.

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Millie Clark – Contributor

Despite Monaco being stereotypically known for Sunday’s race results being determined during Saturday’s qualifying, the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix delivered a thrilling end to the weekend.

For me, a standout drive was executed by Racing Bulls’ driver Arvid Lindblad: from fifteenth on the grid, to sixth by the chequered flag, the young Brit secured his best career finish so far.

While initially being stuck behind the Williams car of Alex Albon, as Albon held up the midfield for his teammate Carlos Sainz to achieve a free pit stop, a strategy tactic that was popular last year, Lindblad decided that he did not want to be a part of the train and delivered one of the only on-track overtakes during the race down the main straight.

The 18-year-old rookie completed 59 laps around the iconic Monaco circuit on the yellow-banded medium tyres, and with two safety car windows for Lindblad to box into to put on fresh rubber, the Racing Bulls Team decided that the best opportunity was for him to stay out, ultimately holding out for a red flag.

By lap 68, the red flag was waved, giving Lindblad the perfect opportunity to change tyres during the stoppage without costing him a single second. With this strategy masterclass from the team, and of course, a bit of luck, Lindblad secured his career-best finish to date, as well as double points for the Red Bull sister team.

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