Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli wins pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix after a tightly contested qualifying session. Multiple outlets describe the final laps as decisive, with Antonelli producing a “magic” or standout lap to narrowly beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The margin is consistently reported as 0.043 seconds, leaving Verstappen to start on the front row alongside him. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton qualifies third, while Charles Leclerc is fourth, giving Mercedes and Red Bull the top two starting spots and Ferrari a second-row presence. Other reported positions include Isack Hadjar in fifth for Red Bull, with Mercedes teammate George Russell finishing sixth. Further back, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are reported as seventh and eighth. The Independent and other outlets also note Antonelli’s strong form entering the weekend, including recent wins and his position at the top of the world championship. The Citizen adds that Antonelli’s pole is the first for a Mercedes driver in Monaco since 2019 and he is the first Italian to secure pole at the circuit since Jarno Trulli in 2004.