Ferrari heads to Monaco with the new C6 compound and a mandatory two-stop strategy on a track where tyre management will be key. The slow corners of the Principality could challenge the Scuderia.
Ferrari Faces Balance Challenges Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
Ferrari heads to the Principality without high expectations, at a point in the season where the SF-25 has shown clear struggles. In Monte Carlo, car balance is crucial to allow drivers to push to the limit between walls and guardrails. This is one of the team’s biggest weaknesses, as they have yet to find a consistent operating window.
For example, the car was completely off in qualifying at Imola, while race pace showed some positive signs. This highlights how the main issues lie more in setup and tyre management than in the car itself.
Qualifying Defines the Weekend, and Ferrari May Struggle
In Monaco, Saturday often means everything. Starting at the front is half the battle won. This weekend could be especially tricky for Ferrari, as the team struggles in qualifying.
At Imola, the SF-25 showed significant thermal imbalance, with trouble surrounding getting the tyres into the right temperature window.
Monaco poses a similar threat. The track’s low-energy profile makes it difficult to generate enough heat in the tyres. This will be a key factor Ferrari must keep under close control.
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What Are Ferrari’s Chances in Monaco?
Ferrari’s hopes in the Principality hinge on one crucial factor: the setup. In Monaco, outright speed matters less. Agility and precision between the barriers make the difference, and a good setup is essential.
That, in turn, determines how effectively the team can use the different tyre compounds — a key element that could make or break their weekend.
The SF-25 has often struggled to strike the right balance between aerodynamics and mechanical grip. On faster, more technical circuits, finding that equilibrium is particularly tricky.
But Monaco is different. The tight, twisty street layout, made up of slow corners and narrow sections, makes it somewhat easier to achieve a solid setup baseline.
This could be a small advantage for the Scuderia. With a more stable and predictable car, Ferrari has the chance to focus on consistency and tyre management. If the team can optimise both elements, it might just carve out a competitive role in a weekend where every detail matters.
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Monaco to Feature C6 Tyres and Obligatory Two-Stop Strategy
The C6 tyre compound, already seen at Imola, will make its return in Monaco. But the big change this weekend is the obligatory two-stop rule. This new regulation is set to shake up race strategies and put even more pressure on tyre management.
It will be fascinating to see how Ferrari and the other teams adapt to this challenge, especially on a tight and demanding street circuit like the Principality.
The FIA and Formula 1 aim to make a race traditionally known for being quite predictable and uneventful, like in 2024, more exciting. The new format adds an extra set of Full Wet tyres for each driver on top of the standard allocation. This change is designed to allow for a two-stop strategy even in races requiring the use of extreme wet-weather tyres.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / kolbert-press
Recording Date: 23.05.2025
