The young Mercedes prodigy secured a masterful pole position in the streets of the Principality. Behind him, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton remain on the lookout before a race where every detail could make the difference.
Read more Charles Leclerc on the brink: Ferrari discovers a worrying problem during Monaco qualifying
The qualifying session for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix offered a breathtaking spectacle until the very last moments. On a circuit where every centimeter counts and where mistakes are immediately punished, drivers had to push their limits to try and secure the best possible grid position.
At the end of a particularly hard-fought session, it was Kimi Antonelli who made headlines. The Mercedes driver set an exceptional lap to claim pole position, once again confirming his status as the season’s revelation.
The Italian edged out Max Verstappen by just 43 thousandths of a second, proof of the intense battle that animated Q3. Already very fast since the start of the weekend, Antonelli managed to put together the perfect lap at the most crucial moment.
Verstappen lurking, Ferrari delivers
Despite the disappointment of missing pole by so little, Verstappen will start from the front row and retains all his chances of victory. The four-time world champion maximized the potential of his Red Bull on a track that did not seem particularly favorable to him on Friday.
The second row will be entirely occupied by Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton managed to gain an advantage over his teammate Charles Leclerc in qualifying. The Briton will start third, while the local hero will have to settle for fourth place.
Read more Kimi Antonelli stuns Verstappen in Monaco: «A magical lap» to secure an exceptional pole
For Leclerc, the frustration is real. The Monegasque seemed to have the pace to aim much higher before making a mistake on his final attempt in Q3.
Hadjar impresses again
Among the pleasant surprises of this session, Isack Hadjar particularly distinguished himself. The Frenchman secured a remarkable fifth place despite a weekend disrupted by his accident during Friday’s free practice.
He finished ahead of George Russell and Oscar Piastri, two regular contenders for the top spots this season. The extremely small gaps suggest an intense battle from the moment the lights go out.
A strategic battle expected on Sunday
In Monaco, qualifying often represents a large part of the job. Overtaking is extremely difficult on the most famous street circuit on the F1 calendar, so grid position plays a decisive role.
However, with several fast drivers grouped in the front rows and strategies that could vary, nothing is decided yet.
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