Kimi Antonelli Crashes Out Early in Monaco Qualifying

Kimi Antonelli’s first qualifying session at the Monaco Grand Prix ended sooner than he hoped after a dramatic incident late in the opening segment. The 18-year-old Mercedes rookie was pushing hard to secure his fastest lap in Q1 and escape the bottom group.

With the seconds ticking down, Antonelli hit the inside barrier at the Turn 10 chicane. This contact broke his suspension and damaged his tyre, sending his car into the exit wall and bringing his day to an early close.

His qualifying run placed him 15th at the time, but with the session ending under red flags due to his crash, Antonelli’s hopes of advancing were over. The young Italian immediately apologized multiple times to his Mercedes crew over the team radio, assuring them that he was unhurt.

Despite the disappointment, Antonelli showed composure in addressing the incident after confirming he was physically fine. This early exit was a setback for Antonelli, who has been under the spotlight in his first season with Mercedes.

Expectations are high as he works alongside established teammate George Russell. The Monaco Grand Prix offers limited margin for error, with its narrow streets and unforgiving barriers. The Monaco Grand Prix remains one of the most iconic races in the F1 calendar, and this year’s qualifying set the stage for an intense contest.

For Antonelli, his Q1 crash was a tough lesson at a circuit famous for punishing even small mistakes. The Saturday qualifying also saw several high-profile incidents elsewhere in the field, adding tension to the session.

Lewis Hamilton faced a stewards investigation related to an incident with Max Verstappen. On another front, Lance Stroll was under review following what officials described as a ‘shocking’ event earlier in the day.

Ferrari delivered an update following an unexpected crash involving Hamilton, keeping the attention on the front-running teams. After this session, the 2025 F1 standings had Oscar Piastri of McLaren leading with 146 points, followed by teammate Lando Norris with 133 points.

Max Verstappen was close behind with 124, while Mercedes teammates George Russell and Kimi Antonelli sat at 99 and lower, respectively. The constructor’s table showed McLaren on top with 279 points, with Mercedes at 147 and Red Bull in third with 131.

The next races on the schedule, including the Spanish Grand Prix on June 1 and the Canadian Grand Prix on June 15, will provide further opportunities for the rookie to recover and gain experience on motorsport’s biggest stage.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.