Gasly on Pole for 2026 Italian GP

Pierre Gasly secured a sensational pole position for Alpine at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, edging out George Russell of Mercedes by a mere 0.06 seconds in qualifying at Monza. The session, held on Saturday, September 5, determined the starting order for Sunday's race, the 13th round of the Formula 1 season. Gasly's fastest lap in the decisive Q3 session was clocked at 1 minute 21.786 seconds. Russell qualified second, with Oscar Piastri of McLaren taking third place, 0.180 seconds off Gasly's pace. Other drivers who reached the final qualifying segment included Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton for Ferrari, Max Verstappen for Red Bull, Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, Franco Colapinto for Alpine, Lando Norris for McLaren, and Arvid Lindblad for Racing Bulls. The Italian Grand Prix is a significant event, particularly for Ferrari, who are competing on home soil. The team has reportedly introduced engine upgrades in an effort to improve their performance at Monza, where their last victory was in 2024. Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, is aiming to win at the circuit for the Scuderia, a feat not achieved by a British Ferrari driver since 1964.