Antonelli takes Monaco GP pole by 43 thousandths from Leclerc
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, denying Charles Leclerc a home qualifying triumph by just 43 thousandths of a second.
Qualifying for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix ended in heartbreak for Charles Leclerc and jubilation for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with the young Mercedes driver snatching pole position by the narrowest of margins on Saturday afternoon around the Circuit de Monaco.
The gap of just 43 thousandths of a second separated the two drivers at the top of the timesheets, leaving Leclerc without a home pole for another year and raising fresh questions about Ferrari's pace through the tight streets of the Principality. For Monaco residents who packed the barriers and terraces expecting a local hero moment, the result was a sharp disappointment.
Antonelli's performance signals a shift in form heading into Sunday's race. Starting from pole on a circuit where overtaking remains near-impossible, the Mercedes driver will be firm favourite to convert his qualifying advantage into victory when the race gets under way on Sunday 7 June.