The Alpine driver left it late before producing a brilliant final lap of 1:21.786 around the high-speed Autodromo Nazionale Monza. His effort was enough to pip Mercedes’ George Russell by just 0.060 seconds in an incredibly tight battle at the front.

For Gasly, the result carried an extra touch of emotion. Monza is already a special place in his career after he claimed his maiden F1 victory at the circuit in 2020, and his latest performance has added another memorable chapter to his Monza story.

Pierre Gasly - X

Gasly had shown promising pace throughout qualifying, but when it mattered most, he found another gear. While several of the pre-race favourites struggled to put together their best laps, the Frenchman kept his cool and delivered when the pressure was at its highest.

Russell had to settle for second despite improving on his final run, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri originally posted the third-fastest time with a 1:21.966.

However, Piastri’s qualifying result was later overshadowed by a three-place grid penalty for impeding Liam Lawson. As a result, the Australian will drop to sixth on the starting grid, reshuffling the leading contenders for Sunday’s race.

Ferrari will still have plenty to cheer about at its home circuit, with Charles Leclerc qualifying fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth. The Italian crowd will be hoping the Scuderia can turn that pace into a strong race result.

Max Verstappen was sixth-fastest in qualifying and will also benefit from the grid changes.

There was further drama involving championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes youngster qualified seventh, but a penalty linked to the use of additional power-unit components means he will start from the back of the field. Antonelli nevertheless played an important role in qualifying by providing Russell with a slipstream down Monza’s famously long straights.

Pierre Gasly - X

Lando Norris endured another difficult session, managing only ninth place. That result will be a disappointment for the McLaren driver, particularly after victories in the previous two Grands Prix.

With its long straights, heavy braking zones and famously slipstream-heavy racing, Monza traditionally produces plenty of action.

Gasly now faces the daunting task of converting pole into victory, with Russell breathing down his neck and Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull all lurking nearby.

Lights out for Sunday’s highly anticipated Italian Grand Prix at Monza is at 15:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport