Norris and Leclerc summoned over late press conference
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc have been summoned to the Monaco Grand Prix stewards on Friday morning for an unusual breach of the sporting regulations after arriving late to the official FIA press conference on Thursday. Both drivers were found to be in breach of Article B10.1.1a, with Leclerc due at 10:00 local time and Norris at 10:10. Previously, late attendance at the press conference has either gone unpunished or resulted in a reprimand.
Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc summoned over unusual Monaco rules breach
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Charles Leclerc said he signed a new contract to stay at Ferrari because he believes team principal Frederic Vasseur can take the team back to the top, having turned down offers to leave. Leclerc said: "I'm very onboard with his vision and I really believe in Fred. We have a long-term vision – not too long because obviously we all want to win as quickly as possible – but as soon as possible to be back on top. I'm onboard with this vision and I believe in this vision."
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F1 - 2026 Monaco Grand Prix - Thursday Press Conference Transcript
Hamilton on Ferrari's Monaco competitiveness
Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari are unlikely to be the quickest at Monaco but expects them to be competitive, with the SF-26 stronger in low-speed corners and power less of a factor around the Circuit de Monaco. Hamilton said: "I would say this track would be better for us than some of the others. Because the straight lines we had, for example, in Montreal, we lose quite a lot of time, and obviously here we would lose a lot less. I don't think power is necessarily going to be so much of an issue. Our car is good at low speeds, so I think we will be competitive. I don't necessarily think we will be the quickest, especially with Mercedes' upgrade at the last race, but I think we will be competitive."
Lewis Hamilton delivers verdict on Ferrari Monaco glory chances
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Sainz on split-group Q1 qualifying at Monaco
Carlos Sainz says he does not understand why Formula 1 has not introduced split groups in Q1 for Monaco Grand Prix qualifying, adding that the idea repeatedly comes up in the drivers’ briefing but is then dropped. Sainz said: "Yeah, I still don't understand why we don't do split groups in Q1. I've suggested it multiple times. It wouldn't affect the pecking order at all if you go 11 teams and 11 teams and you divide the teammates or something and just the bottom three don't go through. I don't understand why we don't do that."
Carlos Sainz bemoans disregard of F1 drivers' crucial Monaco GP suggestion
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Verstappen on Monaco bumps and kerbs test for Red Bull
Max Verstappen says the Monaco Grand Prix can bring “surprises” for Red Bull as he waits to see how their car feels on the circuit’s bumps and kerbs. Verstappen said: "It will depend on a lot of things, but I don't know how the car is going to feel tomorrow. Monaco can always give you some surprises, but realistically, from my side, we've been okay in the low-speed but at the same time, here, you need to be good on the bumps and the kerbs, which is where we're not that great. We'll have to see how it will evolve throughout the weekend."
Verstappen prepared for ‘surprises' at Monaco GP
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Albon on Williams targeting title contention by 2030
Alex Albon says Williams can be world-title challengers by 2030 under team principal James Vowles, even though the team feels its 2026 struggles this season have set it back. Albon said: "I think 2030 is, yeah. I think James is a realistic person, I think he doesn't try to fluff anything up. Obviously we would appreciate if that was a little bit earlier than what it is. I think we've noticed this year that we're a bit further back than where we want to [be], and maybe it has set us back a little bit more, but I do believe in him when he says that."
Albon gives his verdict on Vowles' 2030 title plan
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Norris on becoming McLaren's most-started F1 driver
Lando Norris says he is proud to have become the McLaren driver with the most Formula 1 race starts, as the team prepares to mark its 1000th grand prix weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix. Norris said: "I don't think at any point I ever thought I'd be the driver in McLaren with the most race starts for them – that's a pretty awesome stat to think of. To be honest, normally I hate stats in general and I hate when people say them, but this is one that I'm just proud of, for sure."
Norris proud to achieve ‘awesome' McLaren record
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Leclerc on continuing to use Ferrari's simulator
Charles Leclerc says he will keep using Ferrari’s simulator for his race preparation, after team-mate Lewis Hamilton said he was going “old school” and would stop using it. Leclerc said: "It doesn't affect my preparation at all. At the end, I think we all have our preferences. For me, the simulator has been working very well. This is what I've done since arriving in Formula One, and I'm not going to change that. It's been a very powerful tool for me."
Charles Leclerc rejects Lewis Hamilton's ‘old school’ Ferrari experiment
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Norris on Ferrari's downforce trade-off for Monaco
Lando Norris said Ferrari’s lack of straight-line speed comes from running “a lot of downforce and a lot of drag”, which he believes will give them an advantage at the Monaco Grand Prix. Norris said: "It's true that the Ferraris are not the quickest in the straights but that's also because they have a lot of downforce and a lot of drag. It's kind of their own punishment they give themselves, which gives them some advantage and that advantage will definitely show this weekend."
Norris digs at self-inflicted Ferrari weakness that is a Monaco strength
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Verstappen on FIA decision over 60/40 power-unit split
Max Verstappen says he trusts the FIA to make the right decision on whether Formula 1 should move to a 60/40 power-unit split next season, favouring a greater internal combustion engine contribution. Verstappen said: "I fully believe and trust that, on the FIA side, they will make the right call for motorsport and F1 in general in the future, so I leave that up to them. What has already been very good this year is that we have been involved in the discussions, and they've been a lot more open. Actually having meetings with them was great. I think that's exactly what we need to do in the future as well."
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Leclerc on signing new Ferrari deal because he believes in project
Charles Leclerc says he signed a new multi-year Ferrari contract because he loves the team and believes in its project, after Ferrari confirmed the extension ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc said: "It's not that I had a timeline in my head, but why it was very clear. I love the team, I think that's pretty obvious from the outside. It's been eight years with the Formula 1 team, 10 years with Ferrari as a whole. They've been one of the first people to believe in me and to help me get to where I am today. I believe in the project most of all."
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Perez on needing the right circumstances to show talent
Sergio Perez says a driver needs “the right circumstances” for their talent to show in Formula 1, as he clarified comments that he was “one of the best” ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Perez said: "When you look at my last six months at Red Bull, you wouldn't think that I'm one of the best out there but when you understand the circumstances at that point, and the people that understand performance at the end of the day. When you see the level of performance I'm putting with my team, you realise that I'm one of the best out there and, at the end of the day, you require the right circumstances for your talent to be able to show it."
Perez explains more after 'one of the best' in F1 comments
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Russell on Antonelli's championship lead heading to Monaco
George Russell says the world championship is Kimi Antonelli's "to lose" as he heads to the Monaco Grand Prix 43 points behind his Mercedes team-mate after retiring from the Canadian Grand Prix with an engine failure while leading. Russell said: "If I look at it from my competitor's position, you're kind of in a position now that you've got such a buffer, it feels like you can only keep it or you can only lose it. It's his to lose. My mindset is to enjoy every single race, try and win every single race, the same as I've done this whole season. I'm going to fight the same, I'm not going to change my mentality at all."
Title Antonelli's to lose, says team-mate Russell
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Leclerc on Ferrari's Monaco hopes and Mercedes benchmark
Charles Leclerc says Monaco is the one track he would “bet” on Ferrari, but he still expects Mercedes to be the team to beat this weekend. Leclerc said: "No [I don't agree with the Ferrari favourite tag]. I think we are in a better place. If there's one track I will bet on us, it's probably Monaco. However, I still believe that Mercedes have had a significant advantage since the beginning of the year. So I think they will be very, very strong... But Mercedes, I think, will still remain the team to beat."
Charles Leclerc: Monaco the track to bet on Ferrari, but Mercedes still favourite
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Alonso on backing Newey's push-the-limit approach
Fernando Alonso says he backs Adrian Newey’s approach of pushing the limits, after pain caused by an uncomfortable seating position in his Aston Martin forced him to retire from the Canadian Grand Prix. Alonso said: "Sure, that's always his philosophy, to try to find the limit. When you find the limit, you go half a step back. That's the way it is, and that's where we are at the moment."
Fernando Alonso backs Adrian Newey's design push after F1 seat issues
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🇲🇨 More Press Conference Highlights
🔵 Alex Albon on Williams' prospects in Monaco: “No groundhogs in Monaco so should be a bit smoother! The weight penalty affect is a bit lower here. I’m just excited, it is a nice track and deployment wise, quite user friendly so should be an enjoyable weekend.” On Williams’ progress: “In Melbourne we were closer to the Aston and the Cadillacs, in Montreal we were behind Alpine so we are more competitive. Weight we have been chipping it off, but there is still more to do. We are clearly going forwards. The fact we could overtake some cars in the midfield in Montreal shows we are not back to where we were last year, but getting there.” On his future at Williams: “I have put so much effort and work into it, I would love to see it through.” ⚪ Gabriel Bortoleto on Audi’s chances in Monaco: “I think it can be a good weekend for us, but plenty of work is needed on driveability. Chassis-wise, we are not in a bad place, we are fighting for Q3. Monaco can bring us some good stuff.” On Audi’s progress: “[Audi] have done an amazing job, putting the car where it is now - fighting for top 10 with a completely new power unit is an amazing thing. In Australia Q3, P9 in the race - expectations went quite high. Now we are building and putting out baseline in a good place.”
🇲🇨 Press Conference Highlights
🔴 Charles Leclerc on signing a new Ferrari contract: “I love the team, that is pretty obvious from the outside. They have been one of the first people to believe in me and help me get to where I am today. I love this team and I believe in this project. I really believe in Fred [Vasseur] and am onboard with his vision. We are seeing lots of innovation on the car, and the long-term vision is what makes me believe in this project more than ever.” On 22 cars in Q1 at Monaco: “[Twenty-two] cars on this track will be tricky, it is not ideal in Q1 but we will have to adapt.” 🟠 Lando Norris on McLaren's chances in Monaco: “I think we are optimistic. We want to come into weekends with the belief that it is possible. We know where we stand compared to the other cars. It is true Ferrari don’t have as much power down the straights but they have more downforce, and that should be an advantage this weekend.” 🔵 Max Verstappen on Red Bull’s expectations in Monaco: “I don’t know how the car is going to feel tomorrow. Monaco can give you some surprises but realistically, the car is okay at low-speed, but here you need to be good on the bumps and the kerbs and we are not… “We want more grip, more power, the tyres to work in a better operating window - you want to be better everywhere. In Montreal we were lacking in the straight, and in the corners, the ride over the bumps, we were not the best. We will see. [Qualifying] is the highlight of the weekend, and where you need to perform.”
Alonso on Aston Martin gearbox issues before Monaco
Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin’s gearbox downshift problems must be fixed before Monaco because “random” behaviour under braking could cause him or Lance Stroll to crash into the wall. Alonso said: "We've been struggling with the gearbox since Miami, and Monaco is not the place to have a random downshift. You will have rear locking or pushing, and then you will crash into the wall, and the driver will look stupid, but we are a passenger sometimes when you put one gear down."
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