PREVIEW: The European leg starts in Monte Carlo

The 2026 FIA Formula 2 season continues this weekend with the paddock making its way back to Europe, with the historic streets of Monte Carlo next on the calendar.

Gabriele Minì and MP Motorsport currently lead the way in both Standings, but they will be expecting plenty of competition from their rivals around the Principality.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Round 4…

WHAT TO EXPECT

Monaco is unlike any other race weekend on the calendar as the action kicks off on Thursday, for a 45-minute Free Practice session that is set to start at 15:00 local time.

Qualifying is on Friday with Group A set to leave the pitlane at 15:10 local time, before Group B hits the track at 15:34.

The field will be split between odd and even numbered cars with each group having 16 minutes to set their fastest times.

The driver with the quickest time from both groups will be on pole for the Feature Race, and they will be joined on the front row by the driver with the best time from the other group. The positions will then alternate back and forth to fill out the rest of the grid.

For Saturday’s Sprint Race, the fifth fastest driver from the slower group will be on pole, with the driver who finishes P5 in the faster group joining them on the front row.

Lights out for the Sprint is scheduled for 14:15 local time, before Sunday’s 42-lap Feature Race at 09:25.

STAT PACK

• There have been six races in 2026, and we have seen five different winners with Nikola Tsolov the only driver to have won twice.
• Nine different drivers have been on the podium at least once with Gabriele Minì having taken home the most silverware so far this year with three trophies.
• Kush Maini is the only driver on the current grid to have won a Formula 2 race in Monte Carlo, while in 2025 DAMS Lucas Oil took victory in both races.
• Pole Position in Monte Carlo has come from Group A five times and from Group B on three occasions.

FROM THE GRID – Laurens van Hoepen, TRIDENT

“It's always super cool to be here. Racing in Monaco is something that is very special. Now I'm just very much looking forward to getting out on track here. I think the track is super cool, especially for a qualifying lap, you have to be on the limit here and that is something special. So, I’m just excited to be here.

“I think the main point here is just to be super clean. You have to be on the edge everywhere, but you cannot go over because then you're in the wall.

“Overtaking here is always difficult, but that doesn't mean that it can't be done, because there are some places that you can maybe do a cheeky overtake. But I think that's something that comes to you in the race.

“We’ve seen some races from in the past where they could overtake, but it's just about looking for the right opportunity at the right time.”

TECHNICAL PREVIEW

Pierre-Alain Michot, FIA Formula 2 Technical Director

“At just 3.3 kilometres long Monaco is the shortest track on the calendar but it presents one of the most unique challenges for both teams and drivers.

“First of all, downforce will be the key focus, with the circuit made up of several low speed corners. As a result of the circuit layout, braking demands and fuel consumptions are not as high. Monaco is also not a high energy track meaning the tyre wear is relatively low.

“The drivers should also be prepared to adapt to each session especially as the track evolves across the weekend. This starts in Practice when the track will not be fully rubbered in, so they must find the limits without sliding into the barriers.”

PIRELLI PREVIEW

The compounds selected for the Monaco round are the two softest in the range: Soft and Supersoft. On a circuit that winds through the narrow streets of the Principality, qualifying is crucial to the final result, given the difficulty of overtaking. The drivers will be split into two groups during qualifying and will form the Feature Race grid by alternating the fastest lap times. Most are expected to start the main race on the Softs, waiting for a neutralisation or a red flag to make the switch and finish on the Supersofts. As we know, the likelihood of a Safety Car intervention is high, and strategy, including the possibility of an overcut, will be key to securing a positive result.