Antonelli beats Verstappen for pole at Monaco Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli secured pole at Monaco by a margin of 0.043 seconds, maintaining Mercedes’ pole streak for every race this season as they push to extend their qualifying dominance. Verstappen was within striking distance, and Hamilton finished third with Russell down in sixth, while Leclerc and Ferrari aimed to challenge. The Monaco pole keeps Antonelli on a substantial lead in the standings, with Russell trailing by 43 points after Canada, and the race on Sunday promising a difficult, changeable battle on the narrow, unforgiving circuit.

Sunday’s 78-lap sprint to the title on the principality’s streets will test tyre strategy and pace, with overtaking at a premium and the relentless pursuit of pole shaping the early-season narrative for Mercedes and their rivals.