World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has taken first place on the grid for the Formula 1 race in Monaco.
After high-flyer Kimi Antonelli raced to pole position with strong nerves, he received congratulations and recognition from the highest authorities. “Great job, congratulations,” said record world champion Lewis Hamilton in the direction of the Italian, who had once again proven his top class in qualifying in Monaco.
For Antonelli it is the fourth pole position of the year, and in the race on Sunday (3 p.m.) he has the best chance of further extending his lead in the Formula 1 World Championship.
Monaco “is the most intense qualifying of the year”
“That was a lap for the history books, unbelievable,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff on Sky. Antonelli spoke of a “magical lap”, he was “super happy”, emphasized the 19-year-old: “This is the most intense qualifying of the year here. You always have to be at the limit, the wall is getting closer and closer, it’s not easy.”
Because overtaking is extremely difficult on the narrow, traditional route in the principality. Former world champion Max Verstappen (Netherlands/Red Bull) came second, followed by Ferrari stars Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, for whom qualifying was rather disappointing after their first impressions of Monaco. “It was a tough day for us, we looked so strong in training. We hardly changed anything. I gave it my all,” said Hamilton.
Hülkenberg has to be content with 13th place
But it wasn’t possible to do better than third place. The Englishman, who is still waiting for his first victory in red, can rely on the strengths of his Ferrari on Sunday: the Scuderia is extremely fast at the start, this could be an opportunity for him. “It’s very close between all of us,” said Hamilton, who was briefly in the lead in the showdown: “I thought I had pole – but then Max came, and then Kimi came.”
Antonelli’s teammate George Russell only finished sixth and the Englishman hasn’t been able to get going all weekend. Nico Hülkenberg had to be content with 13th place on the grid in the Audi. The Emmericher had calculated that he would have a better starting position after very good training performances