Pierre Gasly secured his first Formula 1® pole position for Alpine at the Monza qualifying session, marking a notable moment in the Italian Grand Prix weekend. His performance surprised many, as he demonstrated strong pace throughout the session, setting the benchmark on the Temple of Speed circuit.
Alpine’s showing was further strengthened by Franco Colapinto, who qualified eighth but will start seventh due to another driver’s penalty. This result highlighted Alpine’s competitive straight-line speed and suggested potential for a solid points finish. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell took second place on the grid, although he expressed some frustration over a “messy” final lap affected by traffic. His teammate Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but will start from the back of the grid following a penalty, with hopes for a recovery drive.
McLaren also showed promise in qualifying, with Oscar Piastri placing third on the timesheets but set to start sixth after a penalty. Lando Norris qualified ninth but faced challenges with straight-line speed and braking. Ferrari struggled to fully capitalize on their early pace, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualifying fourth and fifth respectively. Both drivers voiced concerns over lost pace and strategy execution during the session.
Red Bull encountered difficulties during qualifying, with Max Verstappen affected by a mechanical issue and tow strategy complications, resulting in a sixth-place qualification. Liam Lawson qualified 14th but carries a grid penalty. Racing Bulls had mixed outcomes: Arvid Lindblad reached Q3 in tenth, while Yuki Tsunoda struggled and will start 17th. Audi narrowly missed Q3, with Gabriel Bortoleto 11th and Nico Hulkenberg 13th, though grid penalties for others may improve their starting positions.
Haas showed progress with recent upgrades, as Oliver Bearman qualified 12th and Esteban Ocon 16th, with Bearman optimistic about scoring points. Williams focused on team tactics, with Alexander Albon sacrificing his run to help Carlos Sainz reach Q2; Sainz qualified 15th. Cadillac out-qualified Aston Martin, with Sergio Perez 20th and Valtteri Bottas 19th, marking their best combined starting positions. Aston Martin faced challenges, with Fernando Alonso retiring early in Q1 due to an issue and Lance Stroll qualifying 22nd.
Pirelli Motorsport Director noted that a one-stop race strategy is expected to be the most competitive approach at Monza, with all three tyre compounds viable and limited degradation anticipated. This insight provides teams with a strategic framework as they prepare for the race.
The post-qualifying feedback from drivers and teams at Monza reflects a varied competitive landscape, with Alpine’s strong qualifying performance standing out. The session also underlined ongoing challenges for some established contenders, while tyre strategy remains a key factor for race day.