Monaco Grand Prix preview (AI generated image)
It was Charles Leclerc, and perhaps even the Prince of Monaco, who was supposed to take pole position, but 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli had a different plan. For the first three practice sessions, it was all Ferrari until qualifying came around, and Mercedes took pole for the first time this decade.Monte CarloMonaco – There are race weekends in Formula 1, and then there is Monaco.The emirate’s narrow streets have humbled world champions, shattered dreams inches from steel barriers, and produced some of the sport’s most iconic moments. In 2026, Monaco arrives with a new story centered around the rise of Kimi Antonelli.After four successive victories and a commanding lead in the Drivers’ Championship, the 19-year-old Mercedes prodigy arrived in Monte Carlo carrying the momentum of the future world champion.
However, Monaco represents a challenge unlike any other on the Formula 1 calendar. Raw speed is important, but courage is even more important. The driver must jump millimeters from the walls while carrying speeds that leave no room for error.As the weekend ran from Friday testing to Saturday’s qualifying, Monaco once again proved why it remains the greatest test of driver skill in Formula 1.The first practice session around Monaco is rarely about absolute speed.
It is a gradual process of learning where the fist is and how close the driver can get to the barriers without becoming his latest victim. The first practice round in Monaco was all about Ferrari, with Charles Leclerc, Prince of Monaco and home boy, taking the fastest lap, followed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, with Max Verstappen third.
Monaco Grand Prix – Free Practice Results 1 (Top 5)
| Points of sale. | driver | a team | Time/gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:13.978 |
| 2 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.226 sec |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.513 sec |
| 4 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.559 sec |
| 5 | George Russell | Mercedes | +1.005 seconds |
The second training session provided a clearer picture of the competitive system.
Once again, Ferrari dominated the second practice session. Lewis Hamilton topped the second practice session, followed by Charles Leclerc, and once again the silent invader Max Verstappen finished third.
Monaco Grand Prix – Free Practice Results 2 (Top 5)
| Points of sale. | driver | a team | Time/gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:13.026 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.111 sec |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.168 sec |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.379 seconds |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.503 sec |
Saturday morning: Antonelli strikes again
If Friday belonged to Ferrari, then Saturday morning belonged to Antonelli. The Mercedes driver made an emphatic statement during final practice, setting the fastest lap of the weekend and reminding rivals why he currently leads the World Championship.Kimi won the final practice session, ahead of Ferrari, while Leclerc and Hamilton finished second and third in the final practice session. Antonelli attacked the Monaco barriers with a confidence rarely seen from a driver of his age. Through the pool complex and around Rascas, the Italian looked completely at ease, extracting every available millisecond from the Mercedes package.
Monaco GP – Free Practice Results 3 (Top 5)
| Points of sale. | driver | a team | Time/gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:12.720 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.327 sec |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.331 sec |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.763 sec |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.942 seconds |
Qualifying: Real Monaco Grand Prix
In Monaco, qualifying often seems more important than the race itself.The tight layout of the circuit leaves precious few overtaking opportunities, making Saturday’s session the most important hour of the entire weekend. Hamilton had a great lap. Leclerc hustled in front of his home crowd. Verstappen has extracted everything from Red Bull. But Antonelli saved his best for last. With the pressure reaching its highest levels, the Italian achieved an amazing lap of 1:12.051 to secure first place, only 0.043 seconds behind Verstappen.
It marked Antonelli’s fourth pole position in six races and reinforced the growing belief that Formula 1 is witnessing the arrival of its next star.
Monaco GP – Qualifying results and starting grid
| Points of sale. | driver | a team | Q3 time/gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:12.051 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | +0.043 sec |
| 3 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.228 sec |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.300 sec |
| 5 | Ishaq Hajjar | Red Bull Racing | +0.383 sec |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.394 sec |
| 7 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.573 sec |
| 8 | Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.714 w |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alps | +1.175 seconds |
| 10 | Liam Lawson | Bull racing | +1.361 seconds |
| 11 | Alex Albon | Williams | Eliminate Q2 |
| 12 | Carlos Sainz Jr | Williams | Eliminate Q2 |
| 13 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | Eliminate Q2 |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto | Alps | Eliminate Q2 |
| 15 | Arvid Lindblad | Bull racing | Eliminate Q2 |
| 16 | Gabriel Bortoletto | Audi | Q1 Elimination |
| 17 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | Q1 Elimination |
| 18 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | Q1 Elimination |
| 19 | Oliver Berman | Haas | Q1 Elimination |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | Q1 Elimination |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | Q1 Elimination |
| 22 | Lance outing | Aston Martin | Q1 Elimination |
Max was steady
Max was always in conflict. He finished second in qualifying and will start alongside Kimi Antonelli on the front row. The Red Bull driver has built his reputation on maximizing chances under pressure, and starting alongside Antonelli keeps him firmly in contention for the win.
Monaco often rewards strategic patience. One mistake, one safety car, or one poorly timed pit stop can change the entire race.Verstappen knows better than most how quickly conditions can change. If Antonelli stumbles, the Dutchman will be in a perfect position to take advantage.
Ferrari’s missed opportunity
Ferrari went into the weekend believing Monaco represented one of its strongest chances to challenge for victory in 2026.The pace was clear throughout practice. Confidence was evident throughout the garage.
However, qualification ultimately left the team wondering what could have been. Hamilton got off to a strong start from third, while Leclerc’s quest for pole was in jeopardy as he dropped to fourth after another frustrating chapter in his complicated relationship with his home country.
Race ahead
Everything now points to a great strategic battle on Sunday at 6:30 PM EST.Antonelli controls the race from pole position. Verstappen lurks just behind him. Hamilton is still close enough to take advantage of any opportunity. Leclerc carries the hopes of local Monaco supporters.