Antonelli seizes brilliant pole in thrilling Monaco Qualifying ahead of Verstappen and Hamilton

Kimi Antonelli has clinched pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix in a thrilling conclusion to Qualifying, the Mercedes driver storming to the top of the timesheets ahead of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

After Antonelli set the pace during the initial runs of Q3, the likes of Charles Leclerc and Verstappen subsequently toppled him as the session headed towards its close – but the Italian displaced Verstappen in P1 on a lap of 1m 12.051s, marking his maiden Monte Carlo pole.

Verstappen had to settle for second place in the Red Bull, his effort being only 0.043s adrift of Antonelli’s, while Hamilton was just over two tenths away for Ferrari in third.

It was an eventful Q3 for home favourite Leclerc, who aborted more than one run before briefly going fastest – and while he tried to retake P1 in the final moments, the Monegasque hit the wall and was left in fourth.

Isack Hadjar enjoyed a solid showing for Red Bull in P5, with George Russell sitting P6 in what appeared to be a tricky session for the Mercedes man. The McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were seventh and eighth respectively, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson completed the top 10.

The Williams duo of Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz again missed out on Q3, having to settle for P11 and P12 ahead of Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg and the Alpine of Franco Colapinto.

Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad placed in 15th, with Gabriel Bortoleto just behind in 16th. The Audi racer did not take part in Q2, however, after contact with the barriers in Q1 brought his day to an early end.

It was a disappointing conclusion to Qualifying for Haas as Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman both exited Q1 in P17 and P19 respectively, separated by the Cadillac of Sergio Perez.

Valtteri Bottas put the sister Cadillac in 20th place, while Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll brought up the rear for Aston Martin in 21st and 22nd.

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