Kimi Antonelli pipped Max Verstappen to pole position for the Monaco Grand Prix with a lap that he could only describe as "magic" on the streets of Monte-Carlo. 

Antonelli gave himself a huge chance of registering a fifth consecutive race win on Sunday after finishing just 0.043 seconds ahead of Verstappen to take his fourth pole of 2026. 

The final qualifying session saw pole position change three times late in the day, with home hero Charles Leclerc topping the timesheets before Verstappen's sensational lap. 

And just as when it looked like the four-time world champion was about to claim his first pole of the season, 19-year-old Antonelli swooped in and will start at the front of the grid. 

Lewis Hamilton finished third, one place ahead of team-mate Leclerc, while Isack Hadjar took fifth. George Russell's championship hopes faded further, and he will line up in sixth. 

McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, along with Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson, rounded out the top 10, but the day belonged to Antonelli, who said the third qualifying session was among the most intense he had ever been a part of. 

"It was one of those laps that we call a magic lap. I was able to put it all together, and it was such a close qualifying session with Max," Antonelli said.

"I think the first run-off in Q3, there was just one millisecond between us. I knew the last lap was good. I was just hoping that it would be enough, but it was very close.

"I am very happy with that, massive thanks to the team, because [on Friday] we struggled a little bit, and we were able to improve massively.

"I think this is one of the most intensive, if not the most intense, qualifying sessions of the year, and it takes a massive effort.

"It's also practice because you just keep trying to get close to the limit. When it is about finding the last two-tenths, it is not easy because the walls start to come closer. 

"It is not easy to gain confidence, but I felt great this morning, and I am happy that we could finish the job."

Antonelli now has the opportunity to become only the second Italian driver to record five straight victories in F1, after Alberto Ascari's run of seven between 1952 and 1953. 

He could also be only the 10th driver in the history of the competition to achieve five wins in a row, and should he stand on the top step, he would also increase his title lead. 

The result marks an impressive trajectory in what is Antonelli's second season in F1, after he was drafted in to replace seven-time world champion Hamilton at Mercedes. 

Hamilton has rediscovered his groove since the new regulations came into play, but conceded that Ferrari still have some changes to make if they are to challenge for the win.

"Congrats to Kimi. Mega, mega job. Having your first pole here is so special. We've got such a great crowd here, such a beautiful day," Hamilton said. "It was tough for us.

"We were looking strong in practice and barely changed anything, but the car was different once we got to qualifying for some reason, so we have to take a deep dive into that.

"I gave it absolutely everything. I was as close to the barriers as I could be, and what a privilege it is to be here, to be one of the 22 drivers in F1 getting to do this still.

"I love every second of it. I think it is definitely very close between us all. I thought we almost, maybe nearly, had it and then Max put in a good time and then Kimi.

"I think it’s great to see how close all the cars are. I think we lost something going into [qualifying], and that’s what we need to try to figure out."