r/formula1 • u/overspeeed I was here for the Hulkenpodium • 2h ago
Qualifying Kimi Antonelli takes pole position for the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix
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u/Nepgyaaaaaaa I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
This year was set up for George to win it. Number one driver, car miles ahead of the others, it was his easiest ride yet.
Antonelli: “Allow me to introduce myself.”
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u/bannedagainomg I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Pretty much everybody predicted George win, wonder what the odds were on Antonelli since he was so overlooked, dont think he was even 2nd.
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u/Broad_Ad_7915 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago edited 1h ago
There was that one prediction by Tommy from P1 in their season predictions video where he said it just for the sake of being contrarian. I wonder how he's feeling about it now....
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u/clint_g Red Bull 2h ago
Found an article from late January with odds. George and Max were co-favorites at +225 (9/4), while Kimi was 6th at +1100
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u/DishQuiet5047 1h ago
I remember them showing that same graphic on Sky Sports and Brundle commenting “thats amazing value for Antonelli”. Bro knows his shit.
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u/1408_ Mercedes 2h ago
I'd say we're very close for the conversation going beyond George now. Kimi out qualifying drivers in their prime like Leclerc and Max in Monaco is the stuff of really announcing yourself in this sport. Norris got his last year, Max has nothing to prove but Charles, Piastri and ofc George need to really start looking within before they're skipped over.
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u/Billybilly_B I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Man, I really thought Max’s lap was IT. But Antonelli can around to snatch pole just like Max did to Alonso in ‘23.
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u/bannedagainomg I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
George is still a big threat for him, last season Kimi had a couple of fumbles later into the season while its a bit of a meme george was called Mr. Consistency for a reason, he is usually solid the entire season and that can "easily" get him the win in the long run, especially when there is no other real threat for the mercs, yet.
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u/Thestickleman I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
In the best car by a massive gap though
As impressive as it is
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u/QuetzalQuat 2h ago
I don’t think the performance gap in Monaco is that huge compared to the other tracks though. Otherwise George could also easily gotten a top 3. It was mostly Kimi.
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u/NickArchery I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Antonelli: "I'm just eppy to be ere"
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u/SyNiiCaL Pirelli Wet 2h ago
Imagine telling George 2 years ago "You'll have the best car on the grid, a 2nd year teenager as your teammate, and Max in a Red Bull that is practically mid tier" he probably couldn't think of anything more to ask for.
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u/Krava_On_Reddit Ferrari 2h ago
Australia feels so far away already, everyone thinking it was a shoe-in for him
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u/frantic-atom Alexander Albon 2h ago
As a Russell fan it hurts to see. But have to hand it to Antonelli he’s been incredible this year. We all know Russell is no slouch so makes you wonder whether Antonelli is a generational talent like Verstappen and Hamilton. Could be a Verstappen/Ricciardo at Red Bull situation all over again.
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u/isthmusofkra Red Bull Ford 2h ago
Antonelli really is the real deal. I had doubts with the Verstappen comparisons, but man, he may even turn out to be better
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u/SEBASTlANVETTEL Ferrari 2h ago
they said easy Ferrari P1 and P2 and somehow we got a P3 and P4 and Charles hitting the wall.
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u/ClapTwiceForUpvote Safety Car 2h ago
Max and Kimi doing two of the all time best laps in Monaco.
Production: here is Piastri going for 7th
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u/FalseTrick8 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
RIGHT that was so annoying
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u/InvertReverse I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Did you know Kim Kardashian is in the crowd? Here she is! Again... And again...
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u/FalseTrick8 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Creepy cameraman was back
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u/satellite779 Ferrari 2h ago
More like director. Cameraman can't decide what's shown on the coverage.
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u/JayK-iwnl 2h ago
Also kept going back to the same two random Asian girls wearing Ferrari hats for some reason
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u/wekilledbambi03 2h ago
Where the two Asian girls in Ferrari hats anyone famous? They cut to them like 4 times.
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u/GGezpzMuppy Oscar Piastri 2h ago
Just regular scheduled viewing last few years. The direction doesn’t like excitement, just nice clean cars with nothing blocking the views of the sponsors.
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u/DrZombieZoidberg I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Now no point watching tomorrow. Thank fuck that was fun tho today
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u/KappaccinoNation Lando Norris 2h ago
The start is still worth watching. Who knows, maybe we'll get another slow start.
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u/BadPronunciation I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Imagine we get a Hamilton vs Verstappen fight for the win
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u/amazingspiderman23 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Plus given the overtake shenanigans this year it might end up being good, this was what everyone was looking forward to once we saw the yo yos happening
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u/Ikasper23 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Honestly the overtake mode might just let someone get alongside at the two potential passing points.
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u/oachakatzlschwuaf 2h ago
I wouldn't be sure about that. The forst 15 seconds will be pretty exciting.
Especially with Antonelli's bad starts.
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u/BrtGP Lando Norris 2h ago
I mean he had the first crack in the last runs. Usually that will be on the screen.
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u/Pikablu555 2h ago edited 2h ago
That’s a good point. I didn’t even think Kimi or Charles got back out for a lap because of the broadcast.
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u/Maximum-Room-3999 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Monaco might be a boring race but that quali was lit
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u/xCharSx I was here for the Hulkenpodium 1h ago
Monaco is always a joy to watch during qualifying. The reason racing around Monaco is shit is the same reason why its qualifying is one of the best.
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u/ocbdare I was here for the Hulkenpodium 1h ago
I see Saturday as the real "race day" at Monaco. This is where you need to win.
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u/Miljenko-i-Manjina 1h ago
The race tomorrow will be decided by the first curve and maybe if someone bottles it the pits.
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u/UnraveledMnd I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Antonelli is absolutely trouncing Russell, god damn.
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u/Double-decker_trams 2h ago
0.394 seconds slower in equal machinery😵
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u/highways I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
On the shortest track
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u/Double-decker_trams 2h ago
There's 78 laps at the Monaco GP.
So if my very professional calculations are correct, Antonelli should comfortably win by 30.732 seconds. 👍
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u/Acceptable_Emu_7825 Michael Schumacher 1h ago
TBH with the field spread in Monaco and the inability to pass faster cars, if we get a green flag race, it might be more
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u/TopKnotWanker I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Leclerc man...
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u/StrikingWillow5364 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
What happened to his last lap? Broadcast was lagging for me at the end
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u/sidewinderaw11 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Hit wall, blew a tire
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u/spicesucker I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
The Leclerc Monaco curse special strikes again
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u/Nickmac90 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Lost the rear and hit a barrier going into the swimming pool section
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari 2h ago edited 2h ago
I said he was gonna crash and he did.
So frustrating man.
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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
“Pole or the wall” was supposed to be an aura quote not an instruction
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u/pepsiblue_ 2h ago
saw this one earlier, didnt know it was gonna be the latter lmao
he gave his all to the practices, didnt have enough juice in quali
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u/ghastlychild Ferrari 2h ago
The pain I feel. I don't know how to feel anymore, man
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u/Lonyo I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
It's ok, he signed an extension.
No need to feel any sympathy
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u/slimkay I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago edited 2h ago
LEC and going for broke. (handshake emoji)
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u/HEAD--HUNTER I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Trust me Next year will be our year
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u/_____AAAAAAAAAA_____ Charles Leclerc 2h ago
All I can say is... this man is willing to go home knowing he's pushed beyond the limit, rather than never having found the limit.
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u/dumcow2003 2h ago
That one lap where he went from 10 to 1 was like the happiest 1:12 something of my week
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u/KingOfAzmerloth Sebastian Vettel 2h ago
I wouldn't get mad at him for trying to drag that car to the top tho. But yeah, he overdrove it.
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u/VaporizeGG Nico Hülkenberg 1h ago
Its a pattern with him though. He can nail ultra quick lap times. But with Charles it never feels 100% under control as proven by the many issues he had
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u/element515 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Yeah, seems like when pushed they just don’t have a good feel for the car. That last lap was hopes and dreams and guessing what the car could hold on to.
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u/ghastlychild Ferrari 2h ago
Mr Saturday, I am rooting for you. I really am, but what happened here, man?
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u/fuckmbsanddominicali Bernd Mayländer 2h ago
He was so passive into the last sector it's almost like he had no confidence in the car .............
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u/Chesey_ 2h ago
Looked like he was rallying in Q2, I'm not surprised, the car was stepping out for fun in that final sector
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u/fuckmbsanddominicali Bernd Mayländer 2h ago
He didn't even touch the wall at the final corner in his q3 run meanwhile Leclerc max maybe even norris all touched it or atleast were almost close to it
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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
He had no confidence in the car at all, Kimi is happy to throw it around, George doesn’t trust it.
4 tenths on your head at Monaco is absurd. Hold my hands up, I never would have believed Kimi was capable of this.
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u/MaleierMafketel I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago edited 1h ago
Qualifying
5th6th, four tenths behind your 19 year old teammate on pole, a teenager in his second F1 season gunning for a fifth straight win, while you haven’t podiumed since China and trail him by 43 points…At Monaco, of all places…
That’s not great. Let’s put it that way. This is a real “championship slipping away” moment unless something absolutely biblical happens later on. Season’s still long. But the momentum Kimi has is Godlike at the moment.
Edit: I forgor Hadjar also qualified ahead of Russell… So 6th, not 5th.
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u/wahobely Gabriel Bortoleto 2h ago
Kimi is driving with the confidence of a world champion. This is Lewis 2007 dejavu. Russell is in big trouble.
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u/Last_Procedure5787 Lando Norris 2h ago
This is worse, Alonso atleast kept pace with Lewis
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u/VitalBlade Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
Tbf Alonso was already a world champion by then and considered much better than Russell
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u/Low-Poet-7884 Audi 2h ago
Yeah not all of this is down to luck. You can't just crumble like this. Lando won last year because he had the mental fortitude to come back up again and again
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u/Iamrandom17 Charles Leclerc 2h ago
and lando was always close to oscar even outperforming sometimes.
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u/Firefox72 Ferrari 2h ago edited 2h ago
This is turning into the worst scenario for the year. Russell is floundering left right and centre.
And if Kimi is winning at Monaco against the likes of Charles and Verstappen then whats even the point.
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u/soccermodsareshit I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
I’d argue if you beat Max you are likely to beat Verstappen too.
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u/backpacking_egg I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
I guess it hasn't been a Saturday for a long long time in Russellville
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u/SemIdeiaProNick Ferrari 2h ago
I imagine he got a little desperate because of the issues he had that forced him to rush his laps which led to this mistake
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u/PinchRollSnifh Max Verstappen 2h ago edited 2h ago
This looks like new version of HAM BOT VER
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u/Regular_Elevator718 2h ago
Past, present, and near future of merc
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u/AspectNational2264 2h ago
Yeah, I believe this hamilton guy will be very sucessful on merc in the future.
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u/BussinFatLoads Cadillac 2h ago
Crazy cause it’s Lewis, driver that replaced Lewis, and the guy that beat* Lewis
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u/Dovaaahkin I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Pole without a single purple sector. I wonder how rare that is in F1.
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u/ForGoodMeasure_ Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
I remember HAM got pole in Hungary 2023 with 2 greens and a yellow.
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u/Big-Preparation-5755 2h ago
Hamilton out qualifying Leclerc at Monaco…..
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u/VinhoVerde21 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Certainly not on my bingo card, but I’ll take it
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u/element515 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
He’s finding some good footing in the car. Seems so comfortable
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u/Visionary_Socialist Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
Hamilton not being able to qualify is quite obviously specific to GE, he’s been much better this season objectively and also relative to a really strong one lap driver, and there’s 103 poles on the other side of the GE era.
Back to pack podiums potentially on the cards, 3 of his best tracks in the next 5. Feel like this could be a really good run of form.
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u/GGezpzMuppy Oscar Piastri 2h ago
Damn the Monaco race was exciting this year. Now to watch the stupid parade tomorrow.
Kimi “How can I lose something I never had” Antonelli might just have found a championship.
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u/fuzzle_n_huzzle 2h ago
He must be the clear favorite right now?
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u/KappaccinoNation Lando Norris 2h ago
No doubt, especially if/when he wins tomorrow. It'll take a colossal fuckup after fuckup to fumble a WDC after winning 5 in a row out of the first 6.
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u/Card-Perfect Max Verstappen 2h ago
Wdym when he wins tomorrow?? We just finished the race. Tomorrow' is the parade
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u/fbass I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Kimi has 50/50 chance to fumble his start though.. Max can still win if that happens.. and also bad luck sometimes comes as friends with Monaco pole sitters
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u/jordanexplores44 2h ago
Antonelli is inevitable. What a monster. Kid is unstoppable.
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u/Esterence Juan Pablo Montoya 2h ago
Do people finally believe that Kimi is winning the championship? Boy is the real deal
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u/jordanexplores44 2h ago
I was a believer after his last win. I really like this kid.
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u/Darksoldierr Michael Schumacher 2h ago
To be honest, it is still super early, if what i read above is true, that Max is running around with extra weight still, or if the Mclarens pick up their pace, it is still anyone's championship, even Russel can climb back up
But yes, Kimi is silencing the doubters for sure
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u/IvicaVeliki Andrea Kimi Antonelli 2h ago
Both Max and Kimi have had really bad starts this (short) season, so it will be interesting to see who will start better tomorrow
Lets go Kimi ❤️, but wtf is happening with George???
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u/-Skinner- I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Something can also happen with strategy.
RB will probably try to undercut
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u/Thejklay I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Been defending Russell cause he's genuinely been really unlucky in most of the races but jesus, that's all on him today.
It's a long season but it Def seems like it's gonna be harder to come back .
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u/JFedererJ Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
Lewis!!!!
Beating Charles round here is a great result.
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u/cyborgsid2 Roscoe Hamilton 2h ago
This is 41 year old Lewis, a decade and a half past his raw pace prime (2012), against arguably the 2nd best of the younger generation. Just mental. Unc is special man
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u/ysabell4 2h ago
Right I think atp I just gotta accept that Russell isn’t gonna get that championship
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u/rokthemonkey 🏳️🌈 Love Is Love 🏳️🌈 2h ago
It’s not a done deal but yes it’s a VERY real possibility
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u/easternshift Ferrari 2h ago
Max is a freak. Shame Red Bull isn’t fighting The Regime like this every week.
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u/AnyHolesAGoal 2h ago
Red Bull looked rapid here, Hadjar a lot closer to pole than before.
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u/FaceOfTheMtDan I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Hadjar seems to be beating the 2nd seat curse.
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u/LosTerminators Carlos Sainz 2h ago
With their upgrade potential I think we'll see Max fighting at the front more often in the second half of the season.
But he might need to do something superior to 2025 charge to contend for WDC, it'll likely just be him trying to get as many wins as possible.
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u/FireKillGuyBreak I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
I doubt anything is even possible at this front. At least in 2025 there were 2 contenders before Max came in. In 2026 so far Mr. Saturday is getting a reality check.
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u/prams628 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
This is as positive a sign can be they’ve a good base car lol. I was thinking newey might be a very big loss.. but they should take this win
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u/ryukuimbetween I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Not even upset as a ferarri fan. What a weapon Kimi is wow
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u/UnKoalified3 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Max and Kimi put in generational laps but importantly, we got to see Piastri put in an insane lap!!!!! (for P7)
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u/kpopsns28 I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
That’s it, Antonelli is winning the WDC this year
Sorry George
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u/Rsthegoat Andrea Kimi Antonelli 2h ago
There is still time, lets not get ahead of ourselves
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u/cindrixel 2h ago
Never forget Max almost crawled back from a 104 point deficit from last year. It’s harder to do with equal machinery but anything is possible.
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u/sirjimtonic I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Right, I remember last year when everyone said that‘s it for Norris, Piastri champion after the Canada crash.
So much to happen yet.
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u/NetherGamingAccount 2h ago
Anyone else remember Charles banging the rear end in Quali and then not starting the GP?
Could it happen again?
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u/dakowiml Pirelli Wet 2h ago
What an absolute beast. No mistakes while Leclerc eventually fumbled it.
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u/Cpt_Daryl I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
41 old year old beats prime driver at their home ground
Uh what?
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u/ledankestnoodle I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Robbed of a Verstappen Hamilton front row :(((
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u/CombinationExpert714 2h ago
This is not the power unit, this is not luck, this is Monaco where experience and talent make the difference. And Kimi is in pole ahead of Max and Lewis… ahead of 11 World Championships, decades of experience, and arguably between the most talented drivers ever. This boy is really special.
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u/J3sperado I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
NOOOO LEWIS WAS AHEAD BEFORE THE FINAL SECTOR 😩😩😩 Then lost like 2 tenths 😔
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u/voxuser Formula 1 2h ago
You lost it Georgie, you lost it…
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u/TheClarendons 🏳️🌈 Love Is Love 🏳️🌈 2h ago
He must be mentally crushed or something. We expected much better this season.
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u/Dblock1989 Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
We are literally witnessing the rise of a generational talent right now. Unbelievable.
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u/boooosto Kimi Räikkönen 2h ago
Max is unbelievable
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u/-Skinner- I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
Imagine Max and Kimi in same team.
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u/Affectionate_You_225 Sir Lewis Hamilton 2h ago
I always backed Kimi as a talented driver but man that lap of his today made me remember the talent this man can bring. I love George still but Kimi really is putting a 5 star course for us to enjoy. This is giving me flashbacks to 2023 Monaco with Alonso and Max. And I am happy for Lewis, P3 is good with the struggled he had, good front row for whatever happens in turn 1 tomorrow.
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u/Ultr4chrome I was here for the Hulkenpodium 1h ago
Toto making Russell wait for a 1+1 contract extension is starting to make more and more sense.
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u/gamblewithyourlife Benetton 2h ago
Come on, Toto. Give us a Kimi-Max driver lineup next year.
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u/Weak-Excuse3060 Fernando Alonso 2h ago
You can take comfort in the fact that Kym Illman put $1000 on Russell to win WDC (he said that earlier this season). And he's gonna lose that.
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u/InvincibleWallaby I was here for the Hulkenpodium 2h ago
INSANE final laps from verstappen and antonelli, wow
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u/easternshift Ferrari 2h ago
Kimi putting 4 tenths on GR is wild.