Gambling is a fool's game, but betting odds can still offer insights. As of Friday night, one bookmaker had Kimi Antonelli at 1-2 to win the drivers' championship, not yet an overwhelming favorite. George Russell followed at 9-4, Lando Norris at 14-1 to retain his title, and Charles Leclerc at 20-1. However, focusing on this weekend's race in Monaco, Antonelli is at 14-1, while Leclerc is the 5-6 favorite. What you see here may not predict the rest of the season, unless Antonelli defies the Monaco Grand Prix odds.
All Formula 1 circuits are distinct, despite the generic feel of some Middle Eastern tracks, but Monaco is the most unique of all. Street circuits generally have more quirks than traditional F1 tracks, but the twists and slopes of the principality are incomparable. It's as if a major cricket venue not only had a tree in the middle, like Canterbury's lime tree (now gone), but also an avenue and a copse from Silverstone.
As a result, many of this season's car issues can be set aside for a week. No one will complain about being unable to drive flat-out, as the necessary braking will provide all the electrical recharge needed, and the straights are much shorter than elsewhere. This plays to Ferrari's strengths and negates Mercedes', hence the odds favoring the local driver.
Many athletes move to Monte Carlo for tax reasons and the climate, but Leclerc is a born-and-bred Monegasque. The 28-year-old, whose late father raced in French Formula 3, grew up on these streets watching grands prix. At ages eight and nine, he would have seen Fernando Alonso win, and at ten, Lewis Hamilton. In 2024, Leclerc became the first hometown Grand Prix winner in Monaco since Louis Chiron in 1931. It's unlikely to be Ferrari's or Leclerc's year overall, but this could be their weekend. Qualifying for Sunday's race begins at 3pm BST; join me for more buildup from 2.30pm.
Charles Leclerc wins Monaco F1 GP for Ferrari to delight of home crowd
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