Pierre Gasly claimed Alpine's first pole in 17 years at Monza, breaking the usual Formula 1 pattern and giving the team a boost. George Russell and Oscar Piastri start second and third.
Pierre Gasly stunned the Formula 1 paddock by putting Alpine on pole for the Italian Grand Prix, ending a 17-year wait for the team and shifting expectations for the weekend at Monza. Gasly’s lap was Alpine’s first pole since the team took its current name, and it brought an unexpected change to the front of the grid.
Gasly found speed early in qualifying and kept improving with each session. By the final run, he squeezed every bit of performance from his car, leaving rivals behind. Living in Milan and familiar with Monza, Gasly called the result the payoff for nearly ten years of work to reach this level.
Pierre Gasly was replaced by Paul Aron in FP1 at Monza due to rookie session regulations, meaning Gasly had less track time before qualifying.
Formula1.com
Alpine’s managing director Steve Nielsen praised Gasly’s ability to deliver when the car is competitive. Nielsen admitted the team has struggled to provide a strong car in recent years, but said Gasly took full advantage of the opportunity. He also credited Franco, Alpine’s other driver, for a solid qualifying effort.
The starting grid for Sunday’s race looks very different. George Russell will start alongside Gasly, with Oscar Piastri in third. Lewis Hamilton barely made it out of Q2, advancing to the final session by just one thousandth of a second. The tight margins showed how intense and unpredictable qualifying at Monza can be.
For Alpine, this pole is a major milestone. The last time the team started from the front was with Fernando Alonso in 2009, under a different name and in a different era. Gasly’s pole at Monza—a track where he also took his first win—gives the team new energy after years of struggling to break into Formula 1’s top group.
Just a day before qualifying, the FIA International Court of Appeal overturned Alpine's appeal regarding Gasly's Monaco podium, demoting him from third to seventh due to pit lane speeding penalties. Team principal Steve Nielsen described the decision as a 'hard blow' but stressed that Alpine still has 10 races left to recover points and focus on car development.
FIA/International Court of Appeal
While Gasly’s pole is the headline, the championship picture remains unsettled. The Italian Grand Prix is known for surprises, and this qualifying session adds to that reputation. With some of the usual favorites starting further back, the race strategy and championship standings could shift.
Recent races have shown that upsets are always possible, as seen at the Aragón MotoGP weekend where established leaders faced new challenges. Alpine’s pole at Monza fits this pattern, reminding teams and fans that nothing is certain until the checkered flag.
Gasly’s pole is both a personal achievement and a sign that Alpine can disrupt the usual order when the chance comes. The team’s next test is to turn this starting position into a strong race result. In a sport where predictability often rules, Alpine’s breakthrough at Monza is a clear example that surprises are still possible.
