MONACO, June 6 – In a dramatic qualifying session Saturday, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix, narrowly defeating Max Verstappen in the final moments.
The 19-year-old Italian driver, who currently leads the world championship following four consecutive race wins, posted a time just 0.043 seconds faster than Red Bull’s Verstappen, who will join him on the front row for Sunday’s race.
Ferrari drivers, who had been widely expected to perform well at the Monaco circuit, will occupy the second row of the starting grid. Lewis Hamilton qualified third, finishing 0.228 seconds behind Antonelli’s pole time, while local driver Charles Leclerc, who claimed victory in the 2024 Monaco race, will start fourth.
Isack Hadjar secured fifth place in the second Red Bull entry, while Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell managed only sixth place in what was considered a disappointing result.
The reigning world champion and defending Monaco race winner Lando Norris will begin Sunday’s race from the fourth row, starting alongside his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
