Image Source: BBC
F1 produced a remarkable surprise at Monza on Saturday as Pierre Gasly claimed pole position for the Italian Grand Prix, putting Alpine ahead of several championship-leading teams. The French driver delivered a stunning final lap to beat Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.060 seconds in qualifying.
Gasly will start Sunday’s race from the front of the grid, with Russell alongside him on the front row. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri qualified third, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton secured fourth and fifth respectively in front of the passionate Italian crowd.
F1 qualifying shock as Gasly conquers Monza
Gasly’s pole-winning time of 1:21.786 was the headline result of an unpredictable qualifying session. Russell came close with a 1:21.846, while Piastri completed his fastest lap in 1:21.966.
Leclerc was Ferrari’s leading driver in fourth with a 1:22.004, narrowly ahead of team-mate Hamilton, who recorded a 1:22.011. Max Verstappen could manage only sixth for Red Bull, while Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh after helping team-mate Russell with a slipstream.
The result marks Gasly’s first pole position in Formula 1 after nine years competing at the highest level. It is also Alpine’s first pole since adopting its current name, and the Enstone-based team’s first qualifying triumph since Fernando Alonso put Renault on pole at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Gasly celebrates a historic breakthrough
Gasly was visibly emotional after securing the biggest qualifying result of his career. Speaking after the session, he said he had been chasing the opportunity for nine years and described the achievement as “something special” at Monza.
The circuit holds a special place in Gasly’s career. He took his first Formula 1 victory at Monza in 2020, and the Italian track has once again produced a defining moment for the Alpine driver.
“I am extremely pleased,” Gasly said, praising the team and the car. He added that the odds would not favour Alpine in the race, but insisted the team was “not here for the odds” and would give its best effort from pole.
Ferrari face a challenging home race
Ferrari had hoped to fight for pole at its home event, but Leclerc and Hamilton were unable to match the pace of Gasly, Russell and Piastri. The qualifying result left sections of the crowd disappointed, although fans still applauded the unexpected Alpine performance.
Hamilton said the Ferrari felt strong during practice but admitted the team’s execution in Q3 was poor. He explained that he struggled to find a consistent rhythm after running without another car ahead, affecting his braking references and final-lap performance.
Despite starting fifth, Hamilton remained encouraged by Ferrari’s overall speed. He said the team had brought an upgrade to Monza and believed the car was competitive, although Mercedes-powered cars continued to gain several tenths of a second on the straights.
Antonelli starts at the back after qualifying boost
Antonelli qualified seventh but will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid because of a penalty. The Italian driver said he had focused on helping Russell during qualifying and was pleased that the strategy worked.
He will now aim to avoid trouble through Monza’s opening chicanes before attempting to clear slower traffic and recover positions. His progress could become one of the key storylines during the race.
What to expect from the Italian Grand Prix
The Italian Grand Prix begins at 14:00 BST on Sunday, 6 September. Gasly faces a major challenge converting pole into victory, particularly with Russell, Piastri and the Ferraris starting immediately behind him.
- Pierre Gasly starts first for Alpine.
- George Russell lines up second for Mercedes.
- Oscar Piastri starts third for McLaren.
- Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupy fourth and fifth.
- Max Verstappen starts sixth for Red Bull.
Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen said the team had moved from a difficult position earlier in the weekend to “on top of the world” after qualifying. He believes a strong start, careful strategy and clean pit stops could give Gasly a genuine chance of victory.
The long straights and heavy braking zones at Monza often create opportunities for overtaking, while tyre management and race strategy could quickly reshape the order. Gasly’s pole is unexpected, but the Frenchman now has a real opportunity to produce one of the most memorable F1 victories of the season.
FAQs about the F1 Italian Grand Prix qualifying
Who took pole position for the Italian Grand Prix?
Pierre Gasly took pole position for Alpine with a fastest qualifying time of 1:21.786.
Who qualified second at Monza?
George Russell qualified second for Mercedes, just 0.060 seconds behind Gasly.
Where will Lewis Hamilton start?
Lewis Hamilton will start fifth for Ferrari after recording a 1:22.011 in Q3.
When is the Italian Grand Prix race?
The race is scheduled for Sunday, 6 September 2026, at 14:00 BST.
Has Gasly previously won at Monza?
Yes. Gasly scored his first Formula 1 victory at Monza in 2020.
