F1 Monaco GP 2026 Preview, India Timings, and Where to Watch

After an eventful weekend in Canada, Formula 1 is headed to one of its most iconic and historical venues in the Principality of Monaco, for round 6 of the season - the Monaco Grand Prix.

Monaco's narrow streets make it one of the most challenging weekends in the F1 calendar. Although the races here are mostly a snoozefest, the qualifying on the other hand is arguably the most thrilling ones of the entire season. Drivers have to be right on the edge, and the smallest of mistakes can ruin their weekend. 

Mercedes remain unbeaten, extending their lead in both championships. With the team's engine compression ratio trick now officially banned, will their dominant run of form end? 

F1 Canadian GP 2026 Race Results 

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 25 points

2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 18 points

3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 15 points

Kimi Antonelli continued his fine form by winning the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Mercedes driver took a controlled victory after his teammate George Russell retired from the lead due to a power unit failure.

Lewis Hamilton finished a strong second for Ferrari, just ahead of Max Verstappen who took his first podium of the season in his Red Bull. Charles Leclerc finished fourth in the other Ferrari, while Isack Hadjar finished an impressive fifth for Red Bull.

Franco Colapinto continued his promising form from Canada, scoring good points for Alpine in sixth, followed by Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) in seventh. Pierre Gasly finished eighth for Alpine, with Carlos Sainz ninth for Williams and Oliver Bearman completing the top 10 for Haas.

Antonelli now leads the Drivers' Championship by 43 points over his teammate.

F1 Drivers' Championship Standings after Canadian GP

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 131 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 88 points

3. Charles Leclerc (McLaren) - 75 points

F1 Teams' Championship Standings after Canadian GP

1. Mercedes - 219 points

2. Ferrari - 147 points

3. McLaren - 106 points

Also Read - What Regulation Changes Has F1 Made Before the 2026 Miami GP?
 

Will Mercedes Lose Their Dominant Form?

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has introduced a strict technical regulation change ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, effectively banning a clever engine compression ratio trick pioneered by Mercedes. Under the power unit regulations, the maximum allowable compression ratio is capped at 16:1. 

However, Mercedes exploited a massive loophole in the original testing framework, which initially only verified engine dimensions under static, ambient temperatures in the pit lane.  By utilizing innovative heat-expanding materials, Mercedes designed internal components that strictly complied with the 16:1 limit when cold but shifted geometry to expand the compression ratio - potentially up to 18:1, once the engine reached hot racing temperatures. 

This provided a significant boost in thermal efficiency and overall horsepower. Following intense pushback from rival manufacturers, the FIA fast-tracked a new technical directive. Starting at Monaco, rigorous dual-testing procedures will be enforced, measuring the compression ratio under both cold and hot operating conditions (at 130°C) to ensure no team bypasses the mandatory 16:1 ceiling on track. 

It is being believed that Mercedes powered teams will be the most affeced by this restriction. Since Monaco's track layout is not too power-dependant, we may only see the true effect of this change in the Spanish Grand Prix.

F1 Monaco GP 2026 Timings (IST)

With Monaco being one of the most challenging tracks on the calendar, it will be worth watching how all the drivers manage these new cars.

2026 Monaco Grand Prix Starting Grid

Grid based on qualifying results reported after Saturday's session

The 2026 Monaco Grand Prix features a thrilling starting grid led by Kimi Antonelli, who secured pole position for Mercedes ahead of Max Verstappen. 

Ferrari locked out the second row with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris aim to challenge on Monaco’s famously narrow streets. 

Miami GP Weekend Weather Forecast 

According to reports, the weekend is expected to stay largely dry and clear, with temperatures hovering between 17 and 20 degrees Celsius during the practice and qualifying sessions.

While there is a small chance of light rain showers, around 20 to 30 percent, it is unlikely to cause major disruption. 

Winds will be light to moderate, helping keep the track stable. After a possible early morning shower on Friday, the rest of the weekend should offer good visibility and grip for the drivers.

Where to Watch F1 Monaco GP in India?

Every session can be streamed live on FanCode and F1TV in India. Tata Play subscribers can also watch it on the FanCode Sports TV channel.

Image Credits: Formula 1