Pierre Gasly Takes Shock Pole for F1 Italian GP as Alpine Stun Big Guns
Pierre Gasly has run the gamut from bitter disappointment to absolute elation in the past two days, and there is surely no better pick-me-up than claiming an extraordinary first Formula One pole position at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, one of the sport’s greatest venues.
TL;DR
- Pierre Gasly secured his first career Formula One pole position at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
- This achievement came after Gasly's third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix was controversially overturned.
- The pole position is the first for Alpine and the first for a French driver at Monza in 29 years.
- Gasly's lap time was only six-hundredths of a second faster than George Russell's second-place effort.
- The FIA's International Court of Appeal issued a rebuttal to allegations of bias made by Alpine's Flavio Briatore.
- Oscar Piastri qualified third but received a grid penalty, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualifying fourth and fifth respectively.
- Kimi Antonelli will start in 20th place due to a component change, despite being the championship leader.
- Gasly's victory at Monza in 2020 was also notable, though this pole was earned entirely on merit.