Gasly Secures First-Ever Pole at Italian Grand Prix: 'Nine Years Chasing It'
Pierre Gasly clinched his first pole position in Formula 1 with a standout performance at Monza, leaving Alpine and fans thrilled. The French driver's achievement marks a significant milestone in his career, recalling his memorable 2020 victory at the same track.
In a turn of events that caught many by surprise, Pierre Gasly delivered a spectacular performance to secure his first-ever pole position in Formula 1 during the qualifying session at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix. The Alpine driver clocked a remarkable 1m 21.786s on his final Q3 lap, surpassing competitors like George Russell of Mercedes and Oscar Piastri from McLaren.
Gasly, whose career has been marked by persistence, was visibly elated as he emerged from his car, embracing his team. "It was amazing. From the first lap in Q1, I felt very good in the car," he shared. "It's been nine years in F1 trying to chase and get that opportunity to take pole position. To achieve this at Monza, where I won my first race, is truly something special."
Reflecting on the session, Gasly humorously admitted, "I’d like to tell you where that lap came from, but I don’t know!" He expressed gratitude for the performance of his race car and his ability to extract every bit of potential from it during the final lap. "I’m very grateful for the race car I’ve had today. I felt very confident, very comfortable to absolutely put everything there was out there," he added.
Gasly's journey to pole was not without its challenges. The weekend started with him missing out on FP1 to allow reserve driver Paul Aron a chance on track. "I didn’t drive in P1, which is never too great, then P2 was not ideal," Gasly recounted. "But come P3, I felt better, and by Qualifying, I was surprised to find myself leading Q1. I thought others would turn it up, but in Q2 and Q3, we remained competitive."
Alpine had further cause for celebration as Franco Colapinto also advanced to Q3, qualifying eighth, which will translate to seventh on the grid due to a penalty for Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes. Colapinto praised his teammate's achievement, noting, "Seeing both cars in Q3 is very positive, but even more when one is on pole."
Gasly's pole position at Monza not only highlights his personal growth but also signals a resurgence for Alpine, who have been working to overcome a mid-season dip in form. As the team looks forward to the race, Gasly's performance stands as a testament to perseverance and skill, promising an exciting challenge at the Temple of Speed.