Overview
- Antonelli produced a final Q3 lap of 1:12.051 to beat Max Verstappen by 0.043 seconds in qualifying on Saturday, securing Mercedes’ pole at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix.
- Charles Leclerc clipped the barrier on his last run and will start fourth after damaging his Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton split the Ferraris in third.
- Gabriel Bortoleto crashed at the Nouvelle Chicane in Q1, bringing out a red flag that disrupted late runs and left the Audi driver without a Q2 time.
- Mercedes recovered from Friday’s quieter running to top final practice and qualifying, but team-mate George Russell struggled and will start sixth, 43 points behind Antonelli in the championship.
- With Monaco’s low overtaking rate and the cancellation of the 2025 mandatory two-stop rule, Saturday’s grid now puts a premium on the start and tyre strategy as the race unfolds.