Monaco Grand Prix 2026 F1 Qualifying: Teen Star Kimi Antonelli Grabs Pole Meta Title
Kimi Antonelli produced a sensational final lap to secure pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, clocking a 1:12.051 to edge Max Verstappen by just 0.043 seconds. The Mercedes teenager claimed his maiden Monaco pole after a dramatic qualifying session in which Charles Leclerc briefly went fastest before hitting the wall on his final attempt and settling for fourth. Lewis Hamilton qualified third for Ferrari, while Isack Hadjar completed the top five. With overtaking notoriously difficult around the streets of Monte Carlo, Antonelli will start Sunday's race as the favourite to convert pole into victory.
Pole position Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, center, is flanked by second fastest time Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and third fastest time Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates after setting the pole position during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
French soccer player Olivier Giroud poses for a selfie after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
Kim Kardashian walks in the paddock the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Fatima Shbair
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: AP/Philippe Magoni
Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack. | Photo: Jakub Porzycki/Pool via AP
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