F1 Qualifying: Pierre Gasly Secures Shock Pole For Italian GP 2026
Pierre Gasly has sensationally taken pole position for the 2026 Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia qualifying at Monza today, September 5, 2026. This unexpected turn saw Max Verstappen, who was initially fastest, relegated, setting the stage for a dramatic race.
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly produced one of the biggest qualifying upsets in recent Formula 1 history by claiming a sensational pole position for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on Saturday. The Frenchman clocked a blistering lap of 1m 21.786s to edge out Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.060 seconds, securing the maiden pole position of his Formula 1 career. Lando Norris Extends McLaren F1 Contract Until 2030.
Pierre Gasly Takes P1 For Italian GP
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
PIERRE GASLY TAKES POLE AT MONZA!!!!#F1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/RKkJHyEemf
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 5, 2026
Masterclass on the High-Speed Straights
Gasly laid down an early marker by topping the timesheets in Q1, but few anticipated the Enstone-based outfit would maintain that benchmark through the final shootout. Benefiting from well-executed slipstream tactics and the straight-line efficiency of his Mercedes-powered Alpine chassis, Gasly nailed his final run across the Lesmos and the Ascari chicane to snatch top spot.
Russell, who had entered the session as the outright favourite for pole, appeared poised to claim the front slot after setting competitive purple sectors. However, the Briton fell short by six-hundredths of a second on his final flyer, settling for second on Sunday's grid alongside Gasly.
Challengers Stumble at the Temple of Speed
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri secured third place, finishing 0.180 seconds behind Gasly's benchmark time. Scuderia Ferrari had to settle for row two and three in front of their home Tifosi supporters, with Charles Leclerc taking fourth and Lewis Hamilton qualifying fifth.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified sixth, struggling to extract matching straight-line pace down Monza’s long straights. Meanwhile, Drivers' Championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh for Mercedes, finishing ahead of Gasly's Alpine team-mate Franco Colapinto and McLaren's Lando Norris. F1 2026: Malaysia to Host Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang.
Historic Milestone for Alpine and Gasly
The result marks a landmark achievement for Gasly, arriving six years after his maiden Formula 1 victory at the very same circuit with AlphaTauri in 2020. It also represents Alpine’s first pole position since the 2022 season.
Starting from the head of the field, Gasly will look to convert his qualifying triumph into a podium finish or victory during Sunday’s 53-lap Grand Prix, with heavy pressure expected from Russell and Piastri into the tight Rettifilo chicane at Turn 1.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 05, 2026 08:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
