Winners and Losers: 2026 Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying

Kimi Antonelli set a huge record in Monaco Grand Prix qualifying. He grabbed pole position while others struggled. Ferrari failed to convert promising pace into a front row start.

Why it matters:

Starting position is everything in Monaco. The tight streets make overtaking incredibly difficult, so Saturday performances often lock in Sunday's results. Antonelli's pole puts the young Mercedes driver in a commanding position to extend his lead at the top of the drivers' standings. For Ferrari, failing to secure a front row start after dominating practice represents a major missed opportunity to close the gap in the constructors' championship.

The details:

• Antonelli's perfect lap: The Mercedes rookie delivered a stunning final lap in Q3 to edge Max Verstappen by just 0.043s. Race analysis highlighted Antonelli's advantage through Rascasse, while Verstappen's strength through Casino Square and the tunnel chicane ultimately wasn't enough to deny the youthful pole-sitter.
• Ferrari's frustrations: After topping both Friday practice sessions, the Scuderia could only manage third and fourth. Charles Leclerc hit the barriers on his final push lap, forcing him to settle for fourth, while Lewis Hamilton struggled for pace throughout and was still adjusting front wing angles mid-session.
• Mercedes split: George Russell described himself as "bamboozled" by his lack of pace compared to his teammate, suggesting the 2026 generation of cars doesn't suit his driving style. The gap between the two Silver Arrows was stark.
• Midfield surprises and setbacks: Pierre Gasly dragged Alpine into Q3 to secure "best of the rest" honors. Liam Lawson expertly drove Racing Bulls into the top ten. Conversely, Audi underperformed with both cars eliminated in Q2, while Haas fell victim to a mistimed red flag that ruined their tyre preparation laps.
• McLaren's reality check: The team could only manage sixth and eighth. Lando Norris admitted the car lacked aerodynamic load and compliance, noting his confidence level was nowhere near the 100% required for a perfect lap around Monaco.

What's next:

With overtaking nearly impossible around the Principality, Antonelli holds a massive advantage heading into Sunday's race. Verstappen will need a perfect start to challenge into Sainte Devote, while Ferrari faces an uphill battle from the second row to keep their podium hopes alive.