Antonelli's Unstoppable Run Steals Pole Position in Monaco
Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix with a last-gasp effort.
- The 19-year-old Mercedes driver edged out Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in qualifying.
- Verstappen will start second, followed by Lewis Hamilton, with Leclerc in fourth.
Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli delivered a stunning performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, snatching pole position with a blistering final lap. The Mercedes driver defied expectations, setting the fastest time in the crucial final moments of qualifying to edge out rivals.
Antonelli's late surge bumped Max Verstappen to second place on the starting grid, while seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton secured third. Charles Leclerc, who had shown strong pace earlier, will start from fourth, leaving him with work to do in front of his home crowd.
The qualifying session was a dramatic affair, with several notable drivers failing to advance beyond Q1, including Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, and Fernando Alonso. The tight street circuit of Monaco often produces unpredictable results, and Antonelli's maiden pole position here is a significant achievement for the young Italian driver. The race is set to be a thrilling contest, with the challenging Monaco circuit demanding precision and nerve from all competitors.
Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.