The Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza witnessed a historic moment as Pierre Gasly secured his first-ever Formula 1 pole position. The Alpine driver, who previously won at Monza in 2020, showcased exceptional skill and car control to edge out George Russell of Mercedes and Oscar Piastri of McLaren.
Gasly’s remarkable performance was highlighted by a 1m 21.786s lap in the final moments of Qualifying a time that left his rivals in awe. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Gasly’s career, demonstrating his growth and the potential of the updated Mercedes-powered Alpine car.
Gasly’s Dominant Performance
Throughout the Qualifying session Gasly consistently set impressive times, culminating in his pole-winning lap. Starting in third place after the initial Q3 runs, he surged ahead with a flawless final lap that secured his position at the top of the grid.
The Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while Max Verstappen of Red Bull secured sixth place. Kimi Antonelli driving for Mercedes qualified seventh but will incur an engine penalty, affecting his starting position.
Franco Colapinto of Alpine also had a strong showing, placing eighth. Lando Norris of McLaren and Arvid Lindblad of Racing Bulls rounded out the top ten, with Norris struggling with brake issues throughout the session.
Challenges and Setbacks
The session was not without its challenges. Max Verstappen reported a broken rear axle significantly impacting his performance. He finished fifth but expressed frustration over the car’s handling issues, which he described as undriveable in certain turns.
Liam Lawson also taking a grid drop for a power unit change, ended up in 14th place after being impeded by Piastri on his final Q2 lap. The stewards noted the incident, adding to the drama of the session.
Yuki Tsunoda standing in for Racing Bulls faced a difficult session, failing to advance past the first Qualifying hurdle. Other drivers, including Alexander AlbonValtteri Bottas and the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll also struggled to make an impact.
Key Moments and Quotes
Gasly’s pole position was a highlight of the session, with the Frenchman expressing his joy and relief. “It was amazing,” Gasly said afterwards. “It was an incredible Qualifying. From the first lap in Q1, I felt very good in the car. I was trying to chip a little bit away every single session and then in the end [in Q3], it felt like a very good lap. I’m so happy. It’s been nine years trying to chase and get the opportunity to take pole position. I won my first race in Monza, and to get my first pole position on this track… I think is something special around here.”
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is set to begin at 1500 local time on Sunday, promising an exciting race following this thrilling Qualifying session.
