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Kimi Antonelli pulls off a stunning lap to snatch pole position at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, leaving Max Verstappen in his wake. This decisive qualifying session marks a shift in momentum as Mercedes asserts its dominance over Ferrari in the championship chase.
Antonelli, the 19-year-old championship leader, clocked a blistering 1m12.375s, achieving his fourth pole in the last five races. He edged Verstappen by a mere 0.043s in a nail-biting conclusion to Q3 that saw positions change dramatically. Ferrari entered qualifying with confidence after dominating practice, but their early advantage crumbled under pressure.
Antonelli set the tone by topping FP3 and quickly claimed provisional pole. Verstappen, initially close behind, briefly seized the top spot with a 1m12.094s, yet Antonelli responded fiercely, reclaiming pole with a jaw-dropping final effort. Lewis Hamilton rounded out the front row in third, while Charles Leclerc struggled, finishing fourth after a turbulent session.
In the midfield, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar impressed with a fifth-place finish, while George Russell struggled in sixth. The battle for Q3 was intense, with just 0.002s separating Pierre Gasly in tenth from Alex Albon in eleventh. The stage is set for an exhilarating race ahead.
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