It was Charles Leclerc, and perhaps the Prince of Monaco, who was tipped to take pole position, but 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli had a different plan. In the first three practice rounds, it was all about Ferrari until the qualifying session came around, and Mercedes took pole position for the first time in a decade.Monte CarloMonaco – There are race weekends in Formula 1, and then there’s Monaco.The narrow streets of the principality have humbled world champions, crushed dreams within inches of steel barriers, and produced some of the sport’s most iconic moments. In 2026, Monaco arrived with a fresh story at its core: the rise of Kimi Antonelli.After four consecutive victories and a commanding lead in the Drivers’ Championship, the 19-year-old Mercedes prodigy arrives in Monte Carlo with the pace of a future world champion. Yet Monaco represents a challenge unlike any other on the Formula 1 calendar. Raw speed is important, but courage matters more. The driver must dance millimeters off the walls while driving at speeds that leave no room for error.As the weekend unfolded from Friday’s practice to Saturday’s qualifying, Monaco proved once again why it is Formula 1’s greatest test of driver skill.The first practice session around Monaco is rarely about full speed. It’s a gradual process of learning where the grip is and how close the driver can get to obstacles without becoming their latest victim. The first practice round in Monaco was all about the Ferraris, as Monaco’s Prince Charles Leclerc and the home boy set the fastest lap, followed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, while Max Verstappen finished third.
Monaco GP – Free Practice 1 Results (Top 5)
| position | The driver | The team | Time / Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | The fugitive | 1:13.978 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | The fugitive | +0.226 seconds |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.513 seconds |
| 4 | Cami Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.559s |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | +1.005s |
The second practice session provided a clearer picture of the competitive setting. Once again, Ferrari dominated the second practice session. Lewis Hamilton topped the second practice session, followed by Charles Leclerc, and then quiet winner Max Verstappen in third.
Monaco GP – 2 results of free practice (top 5)
| position | The driver | The team | Time / Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | The fugitive | 1:13.026 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | The fugitive | +0.111s |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.168s |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.379s |
| 5 | Cami Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.503s |
Saturday morning: Antonelli strikes back
If Friday belongs to Ferrari, then Saturday morning belongs to Antonelli. The Mercedes driver made an emphatic statement during final practice, setting the fastest lap of the weekend and reminding his rivals why he currently leads the world championship.Kimi overtook Ferrari to win the final practice session, while Leclerc and Hamilton finished second and third in the final practice round. Antonelli attacked the Monaco barriers with a confidence rarely seen in a driver of his age. Around the swimming pool complex and Rascasse, the Italians looked completely at ease, extracting every available millisecond from the Mercedes package.
Monaco GP – Free Practice 3 Results (Top 5)
| position | The driver | The team | Time / Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cami Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:12.720 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | The fugitive | +0.327 seconds |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | The fugitive | +0.331 seconds |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.763s |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.942 seconds |
Qualifying: Real Monaco Grand Prix
Around Monaco, qualifying often feels more important than the race itself.The circuit’s tight layout leaves few precious overtaking opportunities, making Saturday’s session the most important hour of the entire weekend. Hamilton delivered a brilliant lap. Leclerc pushed aggressively in front of his home crowd. Verstappen took everything out of Red Bull. But Antonelli saved his best for last. With his maximum pressure, the Italian produced a stunning lap of 1:12.051 to take pole position by just 0.043 seconds over Verstappen. It marked Antonelli’s fourth pole position in six races and reinforced the growing belief that Formula 1 was witnessing the arrival of its next superstar.
Monaco GP – Qualifying results and starting grid
| position | The driver | The team | Q3 Time/Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cami Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:12.051 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.043s |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | The fugitive | +0.228 seconds |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | The fugitive | +0.300s |
| 5 | Ishaq Hajar | Red Bull Racing | +0.383s |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.394s |
| 7 | Oscar Pastry | McLaren | +0.573s |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.714s |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.175s |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | Racing bulls | +1.361s |
| 11 | Alex Albon | Williams | Q2 elimination |
| 12 | Carlos Saenz Jr | Williams | Q2 elimination |
| 13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | Q2 elimination |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | Q2 elimination |
| 15 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing bulls | Q2 elimination |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoletto | Audi | Q1 elimination |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | Q1 elimination |
| 18 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | Q1 elimination |
| 19 | Oliver Beerman | Haas | Q1 elimination |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | Q1 elimination |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | Q1 elimination |
| 22 | Lance Troll | Aston Martin | Q1 elimination |
Max was persistent.
Max was always in conflict. He finished second in qualifying and will start on the front row alongside Cammy Antonelli. The Red Bull driver has built his reputation on making the most of his chances under pressure, and starting with Antonelli keeps him fighting hard for victory. Monaco often rewards strategic patience. One mistake, a safety car, or a poor time stop can change the entire race.Verstappen knows best how quickly things can change. If Antonelli hesitates, the Dutchman will stand to take full advantage.
Ferrari’s missed opportunity
Ferrari entered the weekend confident that Monaco represented one of its strongest chances to challenge for victory in 2026.Pace was evident throughout practice. Confidence was visible throughout the garage. Yet qualifying ultimately left the team wondering what might have happened. Hamilton got off to a strong third-place start, while Leclerc’s bid for pole was compromised as he dropped to fourth after another frustrating chapter in his complicated relationship with his home Grand Prix.
The race ahead
Everything now points to an interesting strategic battle on Sunday at 6:30 PM IST.Antonelli controls the race from pole position. Verstappen hides on the back straight. Hamilton stays close enough to take advantage of any opportunity. Leclerc has raised the hopes of Monaco’s local supporters.
