Kimi Antonelli will lead the field away for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix after producing a superb qualifying lap to secure pole position in Monte Carlo. The Mercedes driver delivered when it counted most, edging out Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to take the coveted top spot on the grid.
Antonelli heads into Sunday’s race seeking a fifth consecutive Formula 1 victory and will have a prime opportunity to strengthen his advantage in the championship standings. With overtaking notoriously challenging around Monaco’s tight and twisting streets, starting from pole could prove decisive in the battle for victory.
Verstappen will line up alongside Antonelli on the front row, while Hamilton starts from third after another competitive showing for Ferrari. Home favourite Charles Leclerc will begin from fourth position, aiming to challenge for a podium finish in front of the Monaco crowd.
One of the standout performances of qualifying came from Isack Hadjar, who secured fifth place for Red Bull. Mercedes’ George Russell will start sixth, leaving him with work to do if he hopes to reduce the gap to his championship-leading team-mate.
McLaren’s milestone 1000th Grand Prix will begin with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris occupying seventh and eighth places respectively. Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson rounded out the top ten after strong qualifying sessions for Alpine and Racing Bulls.
Further down the order, Williams duo Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz will start 11th and 12th, while Audi drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto face a difficult challenge from the midfield. Cadillac’s Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas will begin near the rear of the field, alongside Haas drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman.
The provisional starting grid for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix is shown below: Position Driver Team 1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 2 Max Verstappen Red Bull 3 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 4 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 5 Isack Hadjar Red Bull 6 George Russell Mercedes 7 Oscar Piastri McLaren 8 Lando Norris McLaren 9 Pierre Gasly Alpine 10 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 11 Alex Albon Williams 12 Carlos Sainz Williams 13 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 14 Franco Colapinto Alpine 15 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 16 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 17 Esteban Ocon Haas 18 Sergio Perez Cadillac 19 Oliver Bearman Haas 20 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 21 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 22 Lance Stroll Aston Martin
The grid remains subject to FIA confirmation, but Antonelli currently stands in the strongest position as he looks to continue his impressive winning streak in Formula 1’s most iconic race.
