Teenager Antonelli snatches Monaco pole with ‘magic lap’ for Mercedes | Motorsports
Kimi Antonelli Secures Pole Position for Monaco Grand Prix
MONTE-CARLO, Monaco — Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Formula One sensation, defied expectations by claiming pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix, quelling any doubts about his early-season momentum.
In a fiercely competitive qualifying session, Antonelli clocked a remarkable time of 1:12.051, edging out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by just 0.043 seconds. This victory marks Antonelli as the first Italian driver to secure pole in Monaco since Jarno Trulli in 2004. “It was one of those laps that we call a magic lap,” he said after the event. “I knew it was good. I was just hoping it would be enough.”
Leading the championship standings, Antonelli has won the last four races this season. However, concerns about the challenging nature of the Monaco circuit, known for its tight corners, were anticipated to hinder the performance advantages of his Mercedes team.
Ferrari Secures Second Row
Despite being considered race favorites, Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will start from the second row. Hamilton recorded the third-fastest time, finishing 0.228 seconds behind Antonelli, while Leclerc, who won this race in 2024, secured fourth.
Leclerc experienced a setback in the final moments of qualifying, clipping the wall and bringing his session to an early end. Hamilton congratulated Antonelli, noting, “Having your first pole here is so special.” He acknowledged the team’s struggles during qualifying, stating that despite strong practice performances, the car felt markedly different.
In fifth place was Isack Hadjar of Red Bull, recovering from a crash in practice. George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, qualified sixth, trailing Antonelli by 43 points in the championship standings.
Defending champion Lando Norris, who won the Monaco Grand Prix last year, will start from the fourth row alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
High Stakes in Monaco
Having finished at the bottom last year, Antonelli is now in a prime position to mirror Trulli’s success in 2004 by converting his pole position into victory. He described the qualifying session as one of the most intensive of the year, saying, “When you are finding the last two tenths, the walls start coming closer.”
Historically, the Monaco Grand Prix favors pole sitters; only six of the last 22 races have been won by drivers starting from positions other than the front row. Despite this trend, Antonelli remains wary, with Verstappen indicating confidence in his own speed. “If you would have told me yesterday I would be on the front row, I would have taken it,” he remarked.
The Monaco Grand Prix promises to be a thrilling contest as drivers negotiate the narrow, winding streets under the watchful eyes of the Mediterranean backdrop.
