Carlos Sainz Jr, from Spain, competed in the Formula 1 World Championship at the Monaco Grand Prix in Monte Carlo on May 26, 2024.
Lando Norris, McLaren driver, believes that Ferrari has a slight advantage over McLaren and Red Bull in the upcoming Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. Both Ferrari and McLaren have made recent developments that have threatened Red Bull’s dominance in the ground effect era. Norris secured his first victory at the Miami Grand Prix thanks to McLaren’s latest upgrades, and also pressured Max Verstappen in the Imola race.
In the last race in Monaco, Ferrari took advantage of Red Bull’s absence at the front of the pack, with Charles Leclerc ending his drought and securing a victory on his home turf. Ferrari’s success in Monte Carlo is due to the adaptability of their car, the SF-24, to the track’s curbs and irregularities. This adaptability is expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming race as well.
Norris explained that how drivers handle the curbs is a significant factor in this race and predicts that the competition will be fierce. He believes Ferrari is the favorite due to their high top speed and overall suitability of their car to the track. However, he acknowledges that it is impossible to predict the winner, as both Ferrari and Red Bull are strong contenders.
Carlos Sainz Jr, from Ferrari, agrees that the team has good chances of success in Canada, but warns that Monaco may have been a one-off case. He does not expect Ferrari to have the same level of dominance in Canada as they did in Monaco, as the Canadian track is more typical and less suited to Ferrari’s strengths.
Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, acknowledges that the team had difficulties in Monaco and believes that their weaknesses in driving quality were exposed now that the field has become more competitive. However, Sainz believes that Red Bull remains the team to beat on conventional tracks and expects them to be strong contenders alongside McLaren.
Oscar Piastri, Norris’ teammate at McLaren, finished second in Monaco and shares the optimism that the team can be competitive on any track. He believes that their recent performances on diverse tracks have proven their abilities and considers it exciting to be part of the team.