Gasly’s Surprise Pole at Monza Shakes Up Italian Grand Prix Grid

In qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Pierre Gasly recorded a lap of 1:21.786 to claim his first Formula 1 pole. The French driver edged Mercedes’ George Russell by 0.060 seconds, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri third before a three-place grid penalty. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were promoted to third and fourth, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen started fifth. Alpine’s Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but will start from the back due to an engine-change penalty, and teammate Franco Colapinto took seventh on the grid.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

Gasly’s pole arrives six years after his sole Grand Prix win, also at Monza in 2020 with AlphaTauri. He is the first French driver to lead a qualifying session since Jean Alesi at the same circuit in 1997. The achievement marks Alpine’s inaugural pole in Formula 1 and the first for the Renault-owned Enstone outfit since 2009.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Pierre Gasly – Alpine driver, first pole after 190 races.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• George Russell – Mercedes driver, provisional pole-sitter before final lap.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Oscar Piastri – McLaren driver, third fastest before receiving a grid penalty.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Charles Leclerc – Ferrari driver, promoted to third on the grid.

Leclerc says Ferrari ‘needs to be smart’ to beat Mercedes and Alpine at Monza

• Alpine – Renault-owned team, achieving its first pole position.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Mercedes – Engine supplier for Alpine, also fielding Russell and Antonelli.

BBC News

• Pole time: 1:21.786 (Gasly).

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Gap to Russell: +0.060 s.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Gap to Piastri: +0.180 s.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Gap to Leclerc: +0.218 s.

Leclerc says Ferrari ‘needs to be smart’ to beat Mercedes and Alpine at Monza

• Gap to Hamilton: +0.225 s.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Gap to Verstappen: +0.284 s.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

• Antonelli’s penalty: 30-place grid drop, starting from the back.

BBC News

• Piastri’s penalty: three-place grid drop for impeding Liam Lawson.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

Mercedes’ George Russell praised Gasly’s performance and expressed disappointment at missing the front row. Alpine’s team radio captured Gasly’s excitement after the final lap. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc commended Alpine’s effort while noting the challenges his team faces on Monza’s long straights.

Leclerc says Ferrari ‘needs to be smart’ to beat Mercedes and Alpine at Monza

• “Pierre and Alpine did everything perfectly, and I think they surprised everybody in the paddock by doing a perfect job.” — Charles Leclerc

Leclerc says Ferrari ‘needs to be smart’ to beat Mercedes and Alpine at Monza

Gasly’s pole highlights Alpine’s rapid progress this season, turning a team that finished last in 2025 into a front-running contender. It also ends a 26-year drought for a French pole sitter. The front row now pits Alpine against Mercedes, potentially reshaping the points battle as the season heads toward its final races. Ferrari’s strong qualifying positions, despite straight-line disadvantages, underline the importance of cornering speed and energy management under the 2026 regulations.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine

No substantive discrepancies were identified among the sources regarding qualifying times, penalties, or driver statements.

Italian GP Qualifying: Pierre Gasly claims shock first pole position to beat George Russell to head of Monza grid for Alpine