F1 Monaco GP: Oscar Piastri arrives in Monte Carlo determined, hungry, and fully focused. Oscar Piastri arrives in Monaco determined and focused.

McLaren in the Principality
The record book of the Monaco Grand Prix, now in its 82nd edition, shows numbers and statistics that favor McLaren. Considering only the GPs valid for the F1 championship, the Woking team boasts the highest number of wins, 15 in total, five more than its closest rival Ferrari. On this historic street circuit, the driver who has stood most often on the top step of the podium is Ayrton Senna, with six wins in total, five of which were achieved driving a McLaren (one with Lotus).

Yet, despite McLaren’s ‘princess’ role at this GP, another fact is intriguing: the team has not won in Monaco for 17 years (including 2020, when the race was canceled due to the Covid-19 emergency), that is, since Lewis Hamilton crossed the finish line first in 2008. However, as reigning Constructors’ Champion and current provisional leader in the same standings, McLaren might finally end this long drought at the next GP. Will it really happen?

The challenges of the street circuit
Current numbers indeed seem to favor McLaren, which, besides having won almost every race so far, can also count on Oscar Piastri, leading the Drivers’ Championship and eager to make up for the overtaking by Max Verstappen at the start in Turn 1 at Imola, which effectively cost him the victory: “Monaco was a really positive weekend for me last year and it’s a track where I’ve had good results during my junior career,” commented the Australian, who finished 2nd in 2024 and twice on the F2 podium. “It’s always a highlight of the calendar and I arrive at this race determined, hungry, and fully focused on the unique challenge that Monaco’s famous streets present.”

Having once been on the Monaco podium, third in 2021, Lando Norris also comes to the upcoming weekend highly motivated, especially after his 2nd place at Imola ahead of his teammate: “I’m very excited to be in Monaco this weekend. Over the years it has seen many special moments, so it’s always great to race here. I’ve continued to work hard with the team ahead of this weekend to put us in the best possible position to build on the positive results of recent events.”