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🇸🇬 Singapore /Sports

Gasly takes first F1 pole at Monza ahead of Russell

From CNA · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Outcome reported
  • Pierre Gasly secured the first pole position of his Formula One career for Alpine at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.
  • Gasly edged Mercedes driver George Russell by 0.060 seconds, with Oscar Piastri third and Charles Leclerc fourth.
  • Championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but will start at the back because of engine penalties.

Pierre Gasly waited nine years for a Formula One pole position, then found it at the circuit where he claimed his first race victory.

The Frenchman delivered a late surprise for Alpine at Monza on Saturday, beating Mercedes title contender George Russell with his final flying lap. Gasly’s time of 1 minute, 21.786 seconds was 0.060 seconds faster than Russell’s, giving the Renault-owned team a stunning place at the front of the grid.

It’s been nine years trying to chase the opportunity to get a pole. I won my first race in Monza and got my first pole at this track. It’s something special around here.

· Pierre GaslyGasly reflected on securing his first Formula One pole at the circuit where he won his first race.

“It’s been nine years trying to chase the opportunity to get a pole,” Gasly said. “I won my first race in Monza and got my first pole at this track. It’s something special around here.”

Gasly had already shown strong pace by leading the first qualifying session and finishing fourth in the second. His mechanics erupted when pole was confirmed, one day after he had been stripped of third place at last June’s Monaco Grand Prix.

We were finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there and I went 'well, I think I will beat you in qualifying' and here we are, he’s ahead of me again.

· George RussellRussell described a lighthearted exchange with Gasly before qualifying and reacted to finishing second.

Russell said Gasly and Alpine had been “super fast,” though he was disappointed to miss pole. Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc alongside him on the second row. Lewis Hamilton took fifth, narrowly reaching the final session by 0.001 seconds, while Max Verstappen qualified sixth.

Mercedes championship leader Kimi Antonelli qualified seventh but will start from the back because of engine penalties. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto will therefore move up to seventh, while McLaren’s Lando Norris starts eighth after winning the previous two races. Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto completed the top 10.

I was disappointed to not get pole position. It was a bit messy with Verstappen opening the lap, I did the lap very close, but Pierre and Alpine have been super fast.

· George RussellRussell explained why he missed pole and praised Gasly and Alpine’s pace.
About this summary

Originally published by CNA in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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