The Monaco Grand Prix expectations and the state of Mercedes

It is that time of year again where the F1 Nation podcast gathers to dissect the upcoming spectacle in Monte Carlo. Tom Clarkson is joined by none other than Jolyon Palmer and James Hinchcliffe to weigh in on whether Ferrari can finally break the Mercedes winning streak in 2026.

Lewis Hamilton has pointed to Ferrari as the team to watch, leaving us to wonder if the Scuderia is truly the favourite for this home race for Charles Leclerc. Leclerc enters the weekend coming off what he called the “most difficult weekend of my Formula 1 career” in Canada, making his mindset a fascinating variable. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli is chasing a fifth consecutive victory, currently holding a 43-point championship lead that forces us to re-evaluate how we view George Russell’s season alongside him at Mercedes.

Beyond the track action, the panel covers the news that Gucci is set to become Alpine’s title sponsor in 2027. They also take a moment to look back at Jolyon’s own introduction to the principality 10 years ago.