Alpine’s Pierre Gasly secured his maiden pole position during the qualifying session for the Italian Grand Prix on Saturday. Gasly, visibly surprised, was informed via team radio about his top spot immediately after the session. Expressing his excitement, Gasly exclaimed, “Let’s go! Been waiting for that one!” This achievement holds significance for Gasly, who clinched his first Formula 1 victory at Monza in 2020.
Gasly demonstrated consistent strength throughout the session, finishing 0.060 seconds ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell. Reflecting on his accomplishment, Gasly mentioned, “In the end it felt like a very good lap but I am so happy, it has been nine years, trying to chase and get the opportunity to get pole position.” Gasly, who resides in nearby Milan, emphasized the significance of winning his first race at Monza and securing his first pole position at the track.
The unexpected nature of Gasly’s performance surprised many drivers, including Russell, who acknowledged Gasly’s impressive achievement. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, initially the third-fastest qualifier, received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Red Bull’s Liam Lawson in Q2. This penalty allowed Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, benefiting from a Ferrari engine upgrade, to secure the second row. Hamilton narrowly advanced to Q3 by a mere one-thousandth of a second earlier in the session.
As a result of penalties and grid position adjustments, the starting grid for the race saw changes, with Gasly’s teammate Franco Colapinto moving up to seventh place. The championship leader, Kimi Antonelli, qualified seventh-fastest but will start from the back due to an engine change penalty. Antonelli, aiming to become the youngest F1 champion, holds a 59-point lead over Russell and Hamilton, with Norris trailing by an additional 24 points after recent wins in Hungary and the Netherlands.
In a light-hearted moment before qualifying, Russell mentioned losing to Gasly in a chess match, highlighting Gasly’s multifaceted success on the day. Gasly’s pole position followed a previous podium strip due to a reinstated penalty from the Monaco Grand Prix. Looking ahead to the race at the high-speed Monza track, opportunities for overtaking may arise, potentially impacting the championship standings. Gasly remained focused on the upcoming race, stating, “That’s a problem for tomorrow,” when questioned about his car’s long-run pace and its potential for victory.
