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Teen Kimi Antonelli Snags Monaco Pole, Beats Verstappen

6/6/2026

Summary

Antonelli Takes Pole

Kimi Antonelli secured Monaco pole with a 1:12.051 lap, 0.043 seconds faster than Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton qualified third, 0.228 seconds off Kimi Antonelli, while Charles Leclerc finished fourth after hitting the Tabac wall.
George Russell placed sixth, nearly four tenths slower than Kimi Antonelli, and said he lacked grip and confidence.
Isack Hadjar completed the top five, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris started seventh and eighth.

Summary

Bortoleto Crashes

Gabriel Bortoleto crashed at the Nouvelle Chicane in Q1, breaking his suspension and prompting a red flag.
The stoppage eliminated Bortoleto and left Audi without a lap.
All 22 cars ran together, creating traffic that limited drivers’ chances.
Max Verstappen missed Carlos Sainz in Q2 and called the Williams crew “what an idiot.”
Stewards reported a collision involving Alex Albon and Arvid Lindblad and cited Nico Hulkenberg for ignoring orders.

History

Historical Context

The Monaco Grand Prix, first run on 14 April 1929, has endured interruptions such as the 2020 cancellation—the first since 1954—when the FIA postponed the race due to COVID-19. In 2024 Charles Leclerc became the second Monégasque winner since Louis Chiron in 1931, and the ACM secured a contract extension to keep the event on the calendar through 2031, with a schedule shift to early June beginning in 2026.

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Antonelli Takes Pole

Kimi Antonelli secured Monaco pole with a 1:12.051 lap, 0.043 seconds faster than Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton qualified third, 0.228 seconds off Kimi Antonelli, while Charles Leclerc finished fourth after hitting the Tabac wall.
George Russell placed sixth, nearly four tenths slower than Kimi Antonelli, and said he lacked grip and confidence.
Isack Hadjar completed the top five, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris started seventh and eighth.

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