Gasly grabs shock pole at Monza as F1 looks at drivers' long waits for first pole
Pierre Gasly has taken a surprise pole position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. His time put him ahead of George Russell in qualifying.
Many people are calling this one of the biggest pole surprises in Formula 1 for several years. Gasly will now start the race from the front of the grid.
Russell finished very close behind Gasly, and will start the race in second place on Sunday.
Gasly is now hoping to win his second race of his career at Monza this weekend. His first career win came earlier in his time in Formula 1.
Separately, Formula 1 has also published a look back at drivers who waited the longest for their maiden pole, meaning their very first pole position in the sport. This kind of story often appears alongside a big race weekend, showing how rare and special a first pole can be for a driver.
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most famous races on the F1 calendar, and Monza is known as a fast, historic circuit that fans and drivers love.
This weekend's qualifying result has added extra excitement before the race, since Gasly is not usually expected to fight for pole position.
Fans and experts will now watch closely to see if Gasly can turn his surprise pole into a race win on Sunday.
Vocabulary10 words
- pole position
- the first starting place in a race
- qualifying
- a session before the race that decides starting places
- grid
- the starting order of cars in a race
- maiden pole
- a driver's first pole position ever
- calendar
- the list of races in a season
- circuit
- a race track
- career
- all the years someone works in a job
- surprise
- something not expected
- Grand Prix
- a big car race
- front
- the first position, ahead of others
Quiz
Answer key
1. A surprise pole position 2. Second place 3. A driver's first ever pole position
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Pierre Gasly has taken a surprise _____ for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. His time put him ahead of George Russell in _____.
Many people are calling this one of the biggest pole surprises in Formula 1 for several _____. Gasly will now start the race from the front of the _____.
Russell finished very close behind Gasly, and will start the race in _____ place on Sunday.
Gasly is now hoping to win his second race of his _____ at Monza this weekend.
Separately, Formula 1 has also published a look back at drivers who waited the longest for their _____, meaning their very first pole position in the sport.
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the most famous races on the F1 _____, and Monza is known as a fast, historic _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think Gasly's pole position is being called a big surprise?
- Do you think a strong qualifying result always leads to a race win? Why or why not?
- Why might a driver's 'maiden pole' feel special, even later in a long career?
- Would you like to watch a Formula 1 race weekend? Why or why not?
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