Kimi Antonelli fastest in Monaco qualifying

Italian driver Kimi Antonelli, representing Mercedes, will start the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position after a commanding performance in qualifying. This marks his fourth pole of the Formula 1 season, which is the sixth race of 22.

Antonelli edged out four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari by a mere 43 thousandths of a second. The young Italian driver erupted over the radio upon learning he had secured the top spot.

"It's one of those laps you call a magical lap," Antonelli stated. "I managed to put everything together and it's incredible. It was really close with Max Verstappen. Thanks to the whole team because yesterday we were a bit behind in terms of pace, and today we managed to find those tenths that were missing."

Home favorite Charles Leclerc, the 2024 race winner, qualified fourth. Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull was fifth, while Antonelli's teammate George Russell finished a disappointing sixth. Reigning world champion and last year's Monaco winner Lando Norris will start from the fourth row alongside McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

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It's one of those laps you call a magical lap. I managed to put everything together and it's incredible. It was really close with Max Verstappen. Thanks to the whole team because yesterday we were a bit behind in terms of pace, and today we managed to find those tenths that were missing.