Gasly Secures First Alpine Pole at Monza

Pierre Gasly secured his first Formula One pole position at the Italian Grand Prix, becoming the first driver for Alpine to do so. The Frenchman edged past Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in a tightly contested qualifying session, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton following in fourth and fifth. The defending world champion, Lando Norris, qualified ninth, while Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, started from the back of the grid after a full set of new engine components was installed.

Gasly’s pole was a surprise for many, as the Alpine team had struggled to match the pace of the front‑row teams. The Italian circuit’s high‑speed layout offers ample overtaking opportunities, leading Mercedes to opt for a fresh power unit at Monza in hopes of a strong finish. Meanwhile, George Russell will aim to recover points against teammate Oscar Piastri, who will be looking to challenge for a podium finish.

The start of the race will test the drivers’ ability to translate qualifying advantage into race performance, with Gasly’s pole giving Alpine a rare chance to compete for a top‑three finish. The outcome will also influence the championship standings, as Kimi Antonelli’s late‑grid start could impact his points haul and the battle for the top positions in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.