A thrilling session, as always here in Monaco, but with an even more surprising result than predicted on the eve. No Ferrari on the front row, Antonelli revives Mercedes and Verstappen places the Red Bull 43 thousandths off pole on a track hostile (due to its characteristics) to the RB22.
The top three finishers are, in a slightly different order, those from two weeks ago in Canada. Many smiles after the tension of the most demanding and difficult qualifying session of the year, especially due to the great esteem the two multi-world champions have for the young Mercedes prodigy.
“I’m still shaking from the adrenaline” Antonelli introduced himself before the usual press conference, showing his trembling hand to the journalists present in the room before starting to answer questions.
“Mine was a good lap. A great lap – Kimi began – I managed to put everything together and it was crucial in such a tight battle. On Friday we weren’t in a good position, the situation was more difficult than we expected. So we tried to think outside the box a bit to get back up and the car found its balance again”.
It was a huge, super intense challenge because you have no margin for error. Shaving off the last two or three tenths is never easy, especially when you have Max so close”.
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Now all the attention will be on the start: Antonelli knows he is still vulnerable, although in Canada his getaway at the start was better than in other races this year. But that’s not all, because behind him he will have two hounds who together have eleven world titles.
“I know very well who I have behind me and I know their talent. I am sure they will try to put pressure on me, but I am focused on just making a good start, confident in the progress we have made. In Monaco the straight is quite short, I just need to make a clean start and then we’ll see”.
At this point, properly prompted, Verstappen turns to Kimi: “My advice is to wait one second before the lights go out.” “Mine is to wait two seconds” adds Hamilton, sparking a big collective laugh in the room.
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