Pierre Gasly still feels the sting of what he describes as a "robbery" after his podium finish was stripped at the June Monaco Grand Prix, but he has managed to turn that disappointment into a spectacular comeback by securing pole position for the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The pole came just a day after the FIA International Court of Appeal reinstated the five‑second pit‑lane speeding penalties that had been removed earlier in the season. Alpine’s Frenchman responded to the controversy with his first ever Formula 1 pole, a result that many observers are already calling one of the sport’s biggest upsets. Six years after his lone race win – also at Monza in 2020 – Gasly now has the chance to rewrite his own narrative, avenging what he believes was an unfair judgement in Monaco.
"I've been in Formula 1 for nine years, giving my best every weekend, and you don’t get a shot at pole every time," Gasly said after the session. "Today was one of those rare moments, and I’m incredibly proud to have taken advantage of it. It was a fantastic lap." Gasly’s emotions have been on full display both on and off the track.
After learning that McLaren and Red Bull had appealed the Monaco result, the Alpine driver erupted, insisting that the reinstated five‑second penalties were a clear injustice. In June, Alpine had successfully appealed the same penalties, arguing that an erroneous measurement of the pit‑lane distance meant Gasly had not actually exceeded the speed limit. The driver told French broadcaster Canal+ that "we're being robbed" and warned that "this is not over". Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore even questioned the impartiality of the FIA International Court of Appeal, suggesting a possible conflict of interest with the judges.
The ICA defended its process, stating it was confident in the "soundness of the proceedings and the integrity of the judges". Whether the comments were justified or not, they seemed to light a fire under Gasly. He produced what many have described as the best lap of his nine‑year career, acknowledging that the appeal saga was "not nice" but also turning it into extra motivation.
"I try to turn everything into something positive, and the extra motivation helped, although I think I could have performed without it," he explained. Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen echoed the sentiment on Sky Sports F1, saying, "The mood after Monaco was terrible – it will bother me for the rest of my life – so to bounce back with a pole is fantastic. It's a great feeling." Other drivers quickly congratulated the Frenchman. George Russell, who will line up alongside Gasly on the front row, recounted a light‑hearted moment before qualifying: the two had been playing a quick game of chess, and after Russell beat Gasly, the Alpine driver replied, "I thought I’d beat you on the track, and here we are – you’re ahead again." Russell added, "Pierre and Alpine have been incredibly quick from Q1 onward.
Huge congratulations to him." Gasly’s only victory to date came at the 2020 Italian Grand Prix, a race that held special emotional weight as it took place a year after the tragic death of his close friend Anthoine Hubert. Now, a second win could be within reach, especially given Alpine’s strong straight‑line performance at Monza, thanks to the Mercedes power unit and a low‑drag aerodynamic package that suits the high‑speed circuit. Monza is known for its energy‑rich layout, which often leads teams to adopt varying power‑unit deployment strategies.
This can create the classic "yo‑yo" racing that fans love, with drivers swapping positions as they manage fuel, tyre wear and engine modes. For Gasly, the ability to control the race from pole could mean keeping rivals like Russell at bay, or at the very least forcing them into a strategic battle.
When asked by Sky Sports F1 whether a win was realistic, Gasly replied confidently: "Why not? I’ll do everything I can tonight and be ready for tomorrow. The advantage of starting at the front on a track like Monza is huge – you don’t have anyone ahead of you, so if you can keep the lead, you’re in a great position." Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who will start from the back of the grid due to penalties, could also influence the outcome.
A strong performance from Russell would narrow his 59‑point deficit to teammate George Russell, adding another layer of intrigue to the race. "It’ll be an interesting fight with Pierre as well. Their car has excellent straight‑line speed, which will be beneficial," Antonelli noted.
"I’m not sure where the battle will be tomorrow, but I’m confident we have the pace to fight for the win." The weekend schedule is packed: the Formula 3 Feature Race kicks off at 7:10 am on Sunday, followed by the Formula 2 Feature Race at 8:40 am, the Porsche Supercup at 10:40 am, and finally the Grand Prix itself at 2:00 pm (UK time). The race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event and streaming via NOW, where viewers can cancel anytime. Monza, the home of Ferrari, always delivers drama, and this year’s storylines are particularly compelling. Gasly’s pole, the lingering controversy from Monaco, and the strategic chess match between the top teams all set the stage for a thrilling Italian Grand Prix.
Whether the Frenchman can convert his pole into a second career victory remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding his performance is undeniable.