F1 Monza Grand Prix: Federica Brignone, to thunderous applause, presents the trophy to Pierre Gasly

Pierre Gasly amazed everyone by securing pole position for the Italian Grand Prix: at Monza, the French Alpine driver defied the odds by clinching a sensational first-place finish ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell.

The French driver was presented with his award after qualifying by the much-loved Federica Brignone: the Italian ski champion, a two-time gold medalist at the Milan-Cortina Games, who had just undergone surgery on her left knee (which, like her entire leg, was bandaged), presented Gasly with the pole wheel.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Gasly, who has a special connection with the Monza track. “My first pole at Monza—this is where I won my first race. I felt good right away; I had a great feel for the car,” said the French driver, who has lived in Milan for years: “I don’t think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Gasly clocked a time of 1:21.786, finishing just 60 thousandths ahead of George Russell’s Mercedes and 180 thousandths ahead of Oscar Piastri’s McLaren. Ferrari, on the other hand, is playing catch-up: Charles Leclerc is fourth, 218 thousandths behind, while Lewis Hamilton is fifth, 225 thousandths behind. Max Verstappen is sixth in his Red Bull, followed by Franco Colapinto in the second Alpine, in eighth, ahead of Lando Norris and Arvid Lindblad. Kimi Antonelli is seventh in Q3 but will start from 21st on the grid due to a power unit replacement that took place over the weekend.