Verstappen and Hamilton Jokingly Advise Antonelli to Wait on Monaco Start

Kimi Antonelli snatched pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix after edging Max Verstappen by just 0.043 seconds in a tense qualifying shootout. With the rookie leading the grid in Monte Carlo, Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton offered some less-than-serious wisdom for the critical run to Turn 1.

Why it matters:

Antonelli has battled race starts throughout his rookie campaign, most recently losing a place in Canada after previous disasters where he dropped multiple positions. A clean getaway in Monaco is even more crucial given the narrow streets and tight Turn 1, where any hesitation or wheelspin could end a driver’s race before it truly begins.

The details:

• Antonelli admitted his starts have been improving, noting he only lost one place in Montreal rather than the six or seven he had become accustomed to shedding.
• The advice: When asked for guidance, Verstappen deadpanned, "When the lights go out, you wait one second, and then..." Hamilton smiled and doubled down: "Two seconds!"
• Verstappen will line up second after a thrilling Q3 shootout where both drivers improved on their final laps, though Antonelli found just enough extra pace to snatch pole.
• Hamilton qualified third, ahead of hometown favorite Charles Leclerc, whose session ended in the wall on his final push lap.
• Isack Hadjar starts fifth, while George Russell endured another disappointing session and will launch from sixth on the third row.

What's next:

The tight confines of Monaco leave zero margin for error, and with championship points on the line, Antonelli cannot afford another sluggish launch from pole. If he gets cleanly through Sainte Devote, he has the pace to control the race; if not, Verstappen will be waiting mere inches behind.