Team Insights: Qualifying at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix
Alpine's Pierre Gasly took a surprising pole in Monza, while Mercedes and Ferrari faced challenges. Red Bull and McLaren had mixed fortunes amid strategic shuffles.
Team Insights: Qualifying in Monza
As the dust settled from the Qualifying sessions at Monza, known as the Temple of Speed, each team had their own tale to tell. Here's a closer look at how they fared.
Alpine
Pierre Gasly snatched his first-ever pole position, delivering a standout performance for Alpine. Both Alpine drivers made it through to Q3 effortlessly, but it was Gasly who stunned everyone by securing the top spot, narrowly edging out George Russell by just 0.060 seconds. Franco Colapinto, after benefiting from Kimi Antonelli's penalty, will start seventh, positioning Alpine favorably for a strong points finish. Gasly, ecstatic with his performance, credited the team's effort and emphasized the focus needed for the race.
Mercedes
Mercedes had high hopes, with George Russell looking like a strong contender for pole after a promising FP3. However, a "messy" final lap saw him settle for second. Antonelli, carrying a grid penalty, played a supporting role, providing Russell with a tow. Despite the challenges, Mercedes remains optimistic about their race pace.
McLaren
McLaren had a mixed day. Oscar Piastri initially secured third but was handed a three-place grid penalty for impeding. Lando Norris struggled without a tow and ended up ninth. Despite these setbacks, McLaren remains hopeful for the race, with Piastri's initial strong performance indicating the car's potential.
Ferrari
Ferrari faced a challenging Qualifying despite early promise. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc made it to Q3, but struggled to extract the maximum performance from their cars. They'll start fourth and fifth, respectively, with hopes of leveraging their race pace to climb the standings.
Red Bull
Red Bull's strategy of using Liam Lawson to tow Max Verstappen didn't quite pan out as planned. Verstappen faced mechanical issues and will start sixth, while Lawson, hindered by traffic, failed to make it beyond Q2 and will start further back.
Racing Bulls
Arvid Lindblad continued his consistent form by reaching Q3, though he was slightly disappointed with tenth place. Yuki Tsunoda, after a troubled session, will start 17th. The team remains confident in their package despite the challenges at Monza.
Audi
Audi narrowly missed out on Q3, with Gabriel Bortoleto finishing just 0.001 seconds behind the top 10 cut-off. Nico Hulkenberg also showed promise but will start from 13th. The team is hopeful for points, with penalties ahead offering opportunities.
Haas
Haas enjoyed a boost from their upgrades, with Oliver Bearman qualifying 12th. Esteban Ocon, despite aero issues, managed 16th. The team aims to capitalize on their improvements to score points.
Williams
Williams played the team game with Alex Albon towing Carlos Sainz into Q2. Sainz will start 15th, while Albon, facing engine penalties, will start toward the back. The team hopes for a strategic race to climb the order.
Cadillac
Cadillac had a tidy day, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez out-qualifying Aston Martin. Bottas will start 19th, with Perez close behind. The team is focused on making strategic gains during the race.
Aston Martin
Aston Martin struggled, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll locking out the back row. Mechanical issues and a lack of pace hampered their efforts, leaving them with much to ponder for the race.
Pirelli
Pirelli predicts a one-stop strategy to be most competitive, with various tire options offering flexibility depending on race conditions. The Medium compound offers strategic adaptability, while the C5 soft tire could be an interesting choice for aggressive starts.
Each team has its own challenges and strategies heading into the race, and Monza's high-speed demands will test them all.