Kimi Antonelli never stops, mocks Verstappen and is on pole in Monaco after qualifying

Andrea Kimi Antonelli it doesn’t stop anymore. The pilot of the Mercedes conquer the pole position In the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix 2026printing a sensational time of 1’12″051 and mocking the Red Bull of Max Verstappen by just 43 thousandths.

The Ferrariafter having dominated free practice, they had to settle for the second row: Lewis Hamilton was third at 0″228, while Charles Leclerc was fourth at three tenths.

The other positions on the grid

George Russell with the other Mercedes confirms the initial difficulties, not going beyond sixth place behind an excellent Isack Hadjar (Red Bull). Two o’clock are also still late McLarengiven that Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris finished in sixth and seventh position respectively, over half a second behind Antonelli.

Antonelli, “I’m enjoying the car and the weekend”

“I managed to put everything together, it was a very hard-fought qualifying with Max. I knew the last lap was good and I hoped it was enough. I’m very happy, I thank the team because we managed to improve a lot after yesterday’s difficulties.” He said it Some Antonelli, after the pole position achieved in the Monaco Grand Prix. “This qualifying requires a huge commitment, you have to get closer and closer to the wall to improve and it’s not easy to find confidence. I’m enjoying the car and the weekendit’s nice to be able to do that. I can’t wait for tomorrow to arrive,” explains the World Championship leader.

Verstappen, “happy to be on the front row”

“If yesterday they had told me that I would be on the front row, I would have certainly accepted. Up until this morning we had some difficulties, being there at the front is positive. I’m very happy to be on the front row. Tomorrow we’ll have to see the start, which won’t be easy.” This is Max Verstappen’s first comment at the end of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished in second place. “With these cars we are even more at the limit, but when you manage to do a clean lap it is really very satisfying”, highlights the four-time world champion.

Hamilton, “I almost thought I had taken pole”

“Congratulations to Kimi, he really did an exceptional job with his first pole here. It’s a beautiful day, but difficult for us. In practice we seemed very strong, but the sensations were different compared to free practice. I gave it my all, pushing to the limit. We’re all very close, I almost thought I’d achieved pole.” As Lewis Hamilton at the end of qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix he finished in third place. “We lost something since yesterday and we have to try to understand where and why. But the guys on the team did a great job”, guarantees the seven-time world champion.

The starting grid

This the starting grid of the Monaco Grand Prix, sixth round of the 2026 World Championship, scheduled for Sunday on the 78 laps of the Monte-Carlo circuit, equal to 260.286 km: Front row: 1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes 1’12″051 at an average of 166.731 km/h 2. Max Verstappen (NED) Red Bull 1’12″094. Second row: 3. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Ferrari 1’12″279 4. Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari 1’12″351. Third row: 5. Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull 1’12″434 6. George Russell (GBR) Mercedes 1’12″445. Fourth row: 7. Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren 1’12″624 8. Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren 1’12″765. Fifth row 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA) Alpine 1’13″226 10. Liam Lawson (NZL) Racing Bulls 1’13″412. Sixth row: 11. Alexander Albon (THA) Williams 1’13″787 12. Carlos Sainz (ESP) Williams 1’13″815. Seventh row: 13. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi 1’13″902 14. Franco Colapinto (ARG) Alpine 1’13″995. Eighth row: 15. Arvid Lindblad (GRB) Racing Bulls 1’14″248 16. Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) Audi no time. Ninth row: 17. Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas 1’14″722 18. Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac 1’14″747. Tenth row: 19. Oliver Bearman (GBR) Haas 1’14″814 20. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac 1’15″283. Row 1: 21. Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin 1’15″349 22. Lance Stroll (CAN) Aston Martin 1’16″061.