Palmer predicts Ferrari 1-2 at Monaco, denies Mercedes podium

Former F1 driver and pundit Jolyon Palmer has boldly predicted a Ferrari 1-2 at this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix, with Charles Leclerc taking victory ahead of Lewis Hamilton, and no Mercedes driver on the podium. Despite Mercedes winning every race so far in 2026, Palmer believes the tight Monte Carlo streets will expose a recurring weakness for the Brackley team.

Why it matters:

Palmer's call is a direct challenge to Mercedes' early-season dominance. If his prediction holds, Ferrari would not only secure a morale-boosting home win for Leclerc but also close the gap in both championships. Mercedes has a 72-point lead in the constructors' standings, but Monaco has historically been an outlier where power unit advantages are neutralized.

The details:

• Speaking on the F1 Nation podcast, Palmer said: “I’m going to go quite punchy here. I’m going to say Leclerc wins, but I think Hamilton is second. It’s a Ferrari 1-2, and I’m going to say third is Lando [Norris].”
• He added: “No Mercedes on the podium. They haven't often gone well in Monaco. They've had dominant years where Red Bull has beaten them. Ferrari has beaten them. … I don't think they get on the podium.”
• Current form: Ferrari enters Monaco with momentum after Lewis Hamilton's second-place finish in Canada. Additionally, the team recently announced a contract extension for home hero Charles Leclerc.
• Standings context: Mercedes leads the constructors' championship with 219 points, followed by Ferrari (147) and McLaren (106). In the drivers' title, rookie Kimi Antonelli leads with 131 points, 43 ahead of teammate George Russell.

What's next:

The Monaco Grand Prix weekend begins today with first practice. If Palmer’s bold prediction materializes, it could signal a shift in the competitive order, especially on circuits that reward chassis and low-speed grip over raw engine power. A Ferrari 1-2 would also electrify the tifosi and put Leclerc back in the title conversation, while reminding Mercedes that their dominance is not absolute.