Ferrari looks strong. Both cars in top positions for pole.
The strong favourite this weekend — as expected.
But here is what caught our attention.
Isack Hadjar crashed at the second Piscine chicane in FP1.
Significant damage. Older front wing fitted for FP2.
Almost a second behind Verstappen despite working hard all day.
That is exactly the Tsunoda cycle we predicted weeks ago.
Crash. Damage. No spare parts. Older components.
Inferior lap times. More frustration. More overdrive.
And McLaren? Zak Brown visibly distraught on camera.
Battery issue worryingly similar to Russell’s Canada retirement.
They are not bluffing. This is real.
⏱️ 00:00 – Ferrari: strong favourite, complaints on team radio under braking
⏱️ 01:00 – McLaren: battery issue, Zak Brown distraught — not bluffing
⏱️ 02:00 – Mercedes: Russell more comfortable after FP2 set-up changes
⏱️ 03:00 – Verstappen leads the chasers — Hadjar’s FP1 crash and the Tsunoda cycle
⏱️ 04:30 – Cadillac: Bottas loved but 2027 seat left open — Colton Herta circulating
Key talking points:
✅ Ferrari: superior mechanical grip, less reliant on engine power — perfect Monaco package
✅ Leclerc unhappy with SF26 under braking — team radio complaints
✅ Aston Martin not flying despite Monaco suiting low-power cars — deeper than PU issue
✅ McLaren battery issue: eerily similar to Russell’s Canada retirement
✅ Zak Brown visibly distraught — not a performance act
✅ Mercedes: Kimi FP1, Russell more comfortable after FP2 adjustments
✅ Verstappen first chaser — race genius on display at his home track
✅ Hadjar FP1 crash: rear stepped out at second Piscine chicane — possibly not driver error
✅ Older front wing fitted for FP2 — almost a second behind Verstappen
✅ Tsunoda cycle confirmed beginning: crash, old parts, inferior times, more frustration
✅ Cadillac: Bottas loved mid-season — 2027 seat left deliberately open
Is the Hadjar-Tsunoda cycle already confirmed?
And can McLaren fix their battery problem before Sunday?
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