Pierre Gasly secured a shock pole position for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza. This marks his first career Formula 1 pole, achieved with Alpine.
The Frenchman’s fastest lap was a significant upset, particularly for Mercedes, who had been considered favourites for the session. Gasly’s margin over second-placed George Russell was just 0.060 seconds.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reacted with visible frustration in the garage. He was observed striking his timing console after Gasly’s final lap. Wolff later stated he ‘cared so much for George to be on pole’.
Wolff attributed Russell being compromised on his final lap, potentially by Max Verstappen, as a factor in missing pole. He also acknowledged Alpine’s strong straight-line speed. Mercedes’ social media team later made light of Wolff’s animated reaction.
Gasly’s pole is Alpine’s first in 17 years, a notable achievement for the team now utilising Mercedes power units. Alpine’s recent power unit upgrades contributed to their strong performance.
George Russell qualified second for Mercedes, with Oscar Piastri initially third for McLaren. However, Piastri received a three-place grid penalty for impeding Liam Lawson in Q2.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, both driving for Ferrari, will now start third and fourth respectively. Max Verstappen qualified sixth for Red Bull.
Kimi Antonelli, in the second Mercedes, qualified seventh but faces a back-of-the-grid start due to an engine penalty. Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto secured eighth.
The top ten was completed by Lando Norris in ninth for McLaren and Arvid Lindblad in tenth for Racing Bulls. The entire top ten was separated by half a second.
Ferrari also unveiled a special livery for their home Grand Prix at Monza. The design pays tribute to Michael Schumacher’s lasting impact on the team.
