Pierre Gasly takes pole position in Monza ahead of Russell and Piastri

Surprise in Monza. Pierre Gasly on Alpine wins the pole position of the Monza Formula 1 GP. The French driver set the best time ahead of George Russell's Mercedes. Oscar Piastri is third fastest and is under investigation for impeding. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished in fourth and fifth place. Seventh place for Antonelli who however will start 20th due to the penalty inflicted for the power unit change. The GP will be live on Sunday at 3pm on Sky Sport and streaming on NOW.

First career pole therefore for Gasly, who demonstrated an excellent pace throughout Saturday, stopping the clock at 1'21"786. Just 6 hundredths of a second better than Russell. Risk of penalty for Piastri, who could therefore be overtaken by the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc (+0"218) and Lewis Hamilton (+0"225). Sixth time for Max Verstappen. A step back for Lando Norris's McLaren, only ninth behind of Franco Colapinto's Alpine and ahead of Arvid Lindblad's Racing Bulls.

Gasly's emotion

"It's my first pole and it came in Monza. For me it's an incredible feeling", said Pierre Gasly smiling to the official Formula 1 channels after the sensational pole position grabbed at the last breath. The French driver then recalls the success of 6 years ago with his AlphaTauri, in 2020: "Here I won my first race", he says, explaining that he felt good on the track and that he had "a good feeling with the car". In the press conference, the French driver then added: "I'm very happy for the team and for myself, I'm in Formula 1 for nine years. Can we fight for victory? It will be tomorrow's problem."