Pierre Gasly secured his first-ever Formula 1® pole position during the qualifying session for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Driving an Alpine powered by a recently updated Mercedes engine, Gasly set a fastest lap time of 1m 21.786s, narrowly edging out Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
The qualifying session on September 5 saw a tight battle among the top drivers, with Russell finishing just 0.060 seconds behind Gasly. Piastri completed the top three, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in fourth and fifth places respectively. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified sixth, while Kimi Antonelli secured seventh but will face a grid penalty due to an engine change. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto made it into the final qualifying segment in eighth, and Hamilton only narrowly advanced to Q3 by 0.001 seconds over Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto.
Monza’s high-speed layout often produces close qualifying battles, and this session was no exception. Strategic tow plays were evident, with drivers such as Antonelli assisting teammates to improve lap times. Several competitors, including Antonelli, Alexander Albon, and Liam Lawson, will carry grid penalties stemming from power unit changes. Gasly’s achievement is notable not only for being his first pole position but also because Monza is the venue where he claimed his maiden race victory back in 2020.
Gasly expressed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing the importance of securing pole at a historic circuit like Monza. The Alpine team’s use of the updated Mercedes power unit appears to have contributed positively to their qualifying pace. Meanwhile, the midfield battle remains competitive, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes all showing strong pace.
The 2026 Italian Grand Prix is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time on September 6. The qualifying results set the stage for an intriguing race, with Gasly starting from the front and a closely packed field behind him. Grid penalties for some drivers will also influence the starting order and race dynamics.
This qualifying session highlighted the fine margins that define performance at Monza, where slipstreaming and engine power play crucial roles. Gasly’s breakthrough pole position adds an interesting element to the weekend, reflecting both his skill and Alpine’s development progress with the Mercedes power unit upgrade.
As the race day approaches, the focus will shift to how the drivers and teams manage their strategies and race pace on one of Formula 1®’s fastest circuits. Gasly’s pole position stands as a clear milestone in his career and a noteworthy moment for Alpine in the 2026 season.