Kimi Antonelli will start the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix from pole position after delivering a sensational qualifying performance around the streets of Monte Carlo. The Mercedes driver secured the fastest lap when it mattered most, claiming the top spot ahead of reigning world champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari star Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli’s pole position places him in an excellent position to continue his remarkable run of form. The championship leader arrives in Monaco chasing a fifth consecutive Formula 1 victory and holds a comfortable 43-point advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell in the drivers’ standings.
With overtaking notoriously difficult on the narrow Monaco circuit, securing pole is often considered the most important step towards victory. Antonelli will therefore be confident of strengthening his championship lead if he can convert his front-row start into another race win.
Verstappen lines up alongside the young Italian on the front row, while Hamilton starts third after another encouraging qualifying session for Ferrari. Home favourite Charles Leclerc will begin from fourth place, hoping to challenge for victory in front of his local supporters.
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar impressed by qualifying fifth, ahead of Russell in sixth. McLaren, meanwhile, will celebrate its 1000th Formula 1 Grand Prix with both cars on the fourth row, as Oscar Piastri starts seventh and Lando Norris eighth.
Further back, Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson complete the top 10, while Williams drivers Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will start just outside the points positions. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto face a tougher task from the midfield, while Cadillac’s Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas begin from the lower end of the grid.
The grid remains provisional pending final confirmation from the FIA.
Position Driver Team
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull
3 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari
4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari
5 Isack Hadjar Red Bull
6 George Russell Mercedes
7 Oscar Piastri McLaren
8 Lando Norris McLaren
9 Pierre Gasly Alpine
10 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls
11 Alex Albon Williams
12 Carlos Sainz Williams
13 Nico Hulkenberg Audi
14 Franco Colapinto Alpine
15 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls
16 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi
17 Esteban Ocon Haas
18 Sergio Perez Cadillac
19 Oliver Bearman Haas
20 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac
21 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin
22 Lance Stroll Aston Martin
All eyes will now be on Antonelli as he attempts to turn pole position into another memorable victory on Formula 1’s most famous street circuit.