- Kimi Antonelli insists Monaco victory is far from guaranteed despite pole.
- Max Verstappen believes the race start could prove decisive on Sunday.
- Lewis Hamilton says “nothing’s impossible” as Ferrari chases an upset.
Monaco qualifying is often considered the most important session of the Formula 1 season, but comments from Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton suggest today’s Grand Prix may be far less predictable than the grid positions imply.
Formula 1 drivers often joke that Monaco is won on Saturday.
Judging by the comments of Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton after qualifying, none of them are entirely convinced that will be the case this year.
Despite Antonelli securing a brilliant pole position around the streets of Monte Carlo, all three front-runners highlighted concerns ranging from tyre degradation to race starts and strategy, suggesting Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix could still contain more uncertainty than many expect.
Antonelli edged Verstappen by just 0.043 seconds in one of the closest qualifying sessions of the season, while Hamilton claimed third after a challenging afternoon for Ferrari. Yet while the grid may appear set, the drivers themselves remain far less certain about what will happen when the lights go out.
Antonelli refuses to assume pole guarantees victory
Antonelli described his pole-winning effort as a “magic lap” and admitted he was still “kind of shaking” after climbing from the car.
The Mercedes driver has become one of Formula 1’s standout performers this season, but he was quick to stress that qualifying success does not automatically translate into race victory.
“I know who is behind and I know they’re very good, so for sure they’re going to push me and they’re going to try to put pressure,” Antonelli said.
The Italian’s biggest concern centred on a factor teams have had little opportunity to fully understand this weekend.
“You still need to have a good pace in hand because tyre degradation might be bigger than what we anticipate,” he explained. “We didn’t really try any long runs, so we don’t really have as much data.”
That admission was perhaps the most revealing comment of the entire press conference.
Monaco is traditionally regarded as a track-position race, but if tyre degradation proves higher than expected, strategy could become a far more influential factor than usual.
Even when asked whether Formula 1’s narrower 2026 cars could improve overtaking opportunities, Antonelli remained unconvinced.
“I think very difficult still,” he said. “Just because, yes, it’s still Monaco.”
Verstappen and Hamilton sense opportunity
If Antonelli was cautious, Verstappen sounded quietly encouraged.
The reigning world champion admitted Red Bull’s front-row start exceeded expectations after a difficult final practice session.
“If you would have told me after yesterday… to be starting on the front row, I would have immediately taken it,” Verstappen said.
The Dutchman also pointed to what could become one of the defining moments of Sunday’s race.
“Tomorrow there is still a start, which this year seems a little bit more critical to get right compared to other years,” he said.
In a race where overtaking opportunities are expected to remain extremely limited, gaining track position at the launch could prove crucial.
Hamilton, meanwhile, arrived at qualifying believing Ferrari had the pace to challenge for pole position before a mysterious overnight change in balance left him fighting the car throughout the session.
“We were looking really strong throughout the weekend,” Hamilton said. “Then coming into today, we took a bit of a step back, lost some performance overnight.”
Despite that frustration, the seven-time world champion remains unwilling to write off his chances.
“I hope that we can get a really good start and maybe apply some pressure to the two,” Hamilton said. “Nothing’s impossible.”
The Ferrari driver even suggested that changing weather conditions could create an opportunity.
“Kind of need rain probably,” he added with a smile.
The unknown factor nobody can answer
One of the most striking themes to emerge from the FIA press conference was how many unanswered questions remain despite Monaco’s reputation as a predictable race.
Antonelli admitted teams possess limited long-run data.
Verstappen highlighted the importance of the start.
Hamilton openly acknowledged that strategy, pressure and circumstances may offer his best route into contention.
Those comments reveal a reality often overlooked after Monaco qualifying.
Pole position remains enormously valuable, but it does not eliminate uncertainty.
A poorly timed safety car, unexpected tyre behaviour, weather changes or even a compromised getaway from the line could completely reshape the race.
Monaco’s reputation suggests the Grand Prix has already been decided.
Antonelli’s pole position certainly makes him favourite.
Yet the most revealing aspect of Saturday’s press conference was that none of the drivers at the front appeared willing to believe that.
Antonelli is concerned about tyre degradation.
Verstappen believes the start could be decisive.
Hamilton is hoping pressure, strategy and perhaps even the weather can create an opportunity.
For a circuit famous for processional races, that uncertainty may be the most encouraging sign.
