Antonelli seals fifth straight win with dominant Monaco GP pole-to-flag victory

Kimi Antonelli extended one of the most remarkable rookie runs in recent Formula 1 history on Sunday, converting pole position into a lights-to-flag victory at the Monaco Grand Prix to claim his fifth consecutive race win and stretch his drivers’ championship lead to 66 points.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver also set the fastest lap and led every single lap around the streets of Monte Carlo, becoming the youngest winner in the race’s history in the process. It is a record that underlines just how swiftly the Italian has outgrown the label of promising newcomer.

Former F1 driver and pundit Martin Brundle was unequivocal in his assessment. “Kimi Antonelli made less mistakes than all the other front runners despite his relatively limited experience, and claimed pole position in sensational style,” Brundle wrote in his column. “As race day would demonstrate too, he has found an overdrive for even more speed and is totally at one with his car and team. I thought he’d make mistakes here and clout the barrier at some point, but he was committed yet precise and controlled.”

Brundle reserved his most striking praise for his closing verdict: “That was one very wild Monaco Grand Prix weekend, and Kimi Antonelli was serene and unbeatable throughout.”

Antonelli’s rise has reshaped the narrative around Mercedes’ 2025 season. Heading into the year, the spotlight fell largely on experienced team-mate George Russell, who won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix and the Chinese sprint race. Antonelli then took his maiden victory at the Chinese Grand Prix and has not stopped winning since, also becoming the youngest driver to lead the championship in the sport’s history.

“The youngest ever winner of the Monaco Grand Prix would claim his fifth straight victory in superb style,” Brundle added. “He really was in a class of one around the principality, with pole position, fastest lap, and leading every lap. He’s just getting better and better.”

Antonelli’s next opportunity to extend his winning streak comes at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from 12 to 14 June.