Monaco Grand Prix Grid Walk: Can Kimi Antonelli claim the jewel in Formula 1’s crown?

Even in the run up to Monaco, with Antonelli 43 points in front, some pundits questioned if he had the temperament to fight at the front while keeping it out of the barriers. His response was emphatic: an absolutely brilliant pole lap, set right on the limit, with his teammate down in P6. 

Beating Max Verstappen in P2 and Lewis Hamilton (at the wheel of a resurgent Ferrari) in P3 around the principality’s punishing streets takes some doing. We are looking at an absolute superstar, one of the biggest talents F1 has seen in recent years. Antonelli really is that good. 

If the 19-year-old can hold position into T1, he has a great chance of becoming Monaco’s youngest-ever race winner.

Verstappen will be hot on his heels, Ferrari will be a threat off the line, and the track’s unforgiving walls will punish any mistake made over the 78 laps. But if Antonelli can hold his nerve, he’ll go down in history—and further his claim to this year’s title. 

While the grand prix can be a bit dull in Monaco, its qualifying sessions are among the best on the F1 calendar. Q3 absolutely lived up to this billing, as McLaren momentarily got back into contention, Ferrari looked right in the mix (until Charles Leclerc binned it, eventually taking P4), and Red Bull very nearly grabbed pole with Verstappen. 

Given the opportunity, each has shown they have the pace to compete and Ferrari will be encouraged by the fact that the second row has gone on to lead the opening lap of every race in 2026. So, it all comes down to the start. Track position is king in Monaco. After the opening corners, the running order will be set. 

If Antonelli’s still leading at this point, it’s going to be all about concentration. Monaco’s streets have caught out some of the very best; Ayrton Senna’s inexplicable crash in 1988 comes to mind. The walls can become hypnotising as you get into a rhythm; this is where he might come undone. 

But Toto Wolff has made some interesting comments recently about Antonelli being too young to feel the pressure. Sometimes it’s easier to race with the exuberance of youth. Right now, we’re witnessing pure talent. He has the right people around him at Mercedes too. It’s all working in his favour. With a bit of consistency, he can achieve something very special in Monaco. 

Further back, it was impressive in qualifying to see F1’s finest back at full tilt. With fewer battery issues, it was refreshing watching everyone go for it. There really were some star turns. Isack Hadjar, who struggled and crashed in free practice, pipped Russell and the McLarens to P5. 

With overtaking at a premium, he has a great chance to bag some serious points. Liam Lawson also qualified in the top ten, as did Pierre Gasly, who ended a four-race streak of qualifying behind teammate Franco Colapinto. They’ll be defending from Williams pair Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz, who have their best grid slots this year in P11 & P12. 

In a tough-to-watch grand prix, the battle for points should offer a bit of respite. During the pitstop phase especially, as teams roll the dice, the only way they can do it is on strategy. Every team on the border of the top ten is in under/over-cut territory. 

Audis are more on the periphery. Gabriel Bortoleto took too many risks in Q1, crashing out at the Nouvelle Chicane. This brought out a red flag, depriving Ollie Bearman (now P19) of a hot lap. Nico Hulkenberg is P13; he couldn’t even get his favourite P11 grid slot. Bortoleto’s down in P16. Another tough race in the Allan McNish era. 

After the opening laps, it’s going to simmer down a bit overtaking-wise. But strategy can still spice things up. While there’s no repeat of the shambolic mandatory two-stop race of last season, those lower down the order can still take a punt on hard tyres. 

Gambling on an early safety car might turn into a game-changing strategy. We haven’t had too many recent safety cars at Monaco (Mick Schumacher caused the last one in 2022), but the skittish, unreliable Cadillacs and Aston Martins have the potential to buck this trend. There’s also a general lack of downforce this year, so costly mistakes are more likely. 

Whatever happens, all of this is going to play out behind Antonelli. Another fine start after an improved opening corner in Canada will put him in full control. He’ll manage the pace, no doubt slowing things down to save his tyres. But that’s what the very best do; they dictate the pace. 

At the start of the season, many pundits had Russell down to play this role. However, as one of my GP247 colleagues put it, "Mr Saturday” is quickly becoming "Mr Yesterday". 

Elsewhere, if there were a free practice championship, Ferrari would be winning it. Once again they failed to put their qualifications together. Verstappen produced a gem of a lap to start alongside Kimi, but even he will struggle to pass at Monaco.

This really is a golden opportunity for Antonelli to lay down the gauntlet with an iconic win. Let’s see if he has the composure to take it.