Monaco once again proved why Saturday is often the most important day of the weekend, and Kimi Antonelli rose to the occasion with a breathtaking performance. The Mercedes driver delivered a sensational final lap around the streets of Monte Carlo to secure pole position, continuing his remarkable 2026 campaign and reinforcing his status as the championship favourite.
The session was fiercely competitive from the very beginning. Ferrari looked like the team to beat after Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had topped Friday’s practice sessions, while Max Verstappen remained a constant threat throughout qualifying. As the clock ticked down in Q3, the lead changed hands several times, with the margins measured in mere hundredths of a second.
When it mattered most, however, Antonelli found something special. The Italian pieced together a stunning lap of 1:12.051, snatching pole position by just 0.043 seconds from Verstappen in one of the closest qualifying battles of the season. The result marked his fourth pole position in six races and another statement performance from the 19-year-old sensation.
Behind the front row, Lewis Hamilton secured third place for Ferrari after a strong and consistent session, while local hero Charles Leclerc had to settle for fourth. The Monegasque driver looked capable of challenging for pole but damaged his car after clipping the barriers during his final attempt, ending his hopes of starting from the front in front of his home crowd.
Further back, Isack Hadjar continued to impress by placing his Red Bull fifth on the grid, while George Russell could only manage sixth despite Mercedes’ overall dominance. McLaren endured a frustrating afternoon, with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualifying seventh and eighth respectively, leaving both drivers facing a difficult challenge on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are notoriously rare.
For Antonelli, though, the day belonged entirely to him. Monaco rewards precision, confidence and absolute commitment, and the Italian delivered all three in abundance. After winning the previous four races, he now starts from the most valuable position on the grid at one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport. If he can keep his composure on Sunday, another victory may be within reach and his grip on the championship could grow even stronger.
MiniDrivers – 2026 Monaco
Qualifying
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