Gasly grabs shock pole at Monza as F1 looks at drivers' long waits for first pole

Pierre Gasly has claimed a surprise pole position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, edging out George Russell in one of the most unexpected qualifying results Formula 1 has seen in years.

Gasly's lap in qualifying was enough to keep Russell, who had looked competitive throughout the weekend, just behind him on the grid. Russell will now start the race from second place on Sunday.

The result has been widely described as a shock, since Gasly's car is not usually expected to challenge for the very front of the grid at a track like Monza, which traditionally favours cars with strong top speed.

Gasly will now aim to convert his pole position into what would be only his second race win in Formula 1. His maiden victory came earlier in his career, and a win at Monza would mark a significant moment in his time in the sport.

Alongside coverage of the race weekend, Formula 1 has also published a feature looking at the drivers who waited the longest in their careers for their maiden pole position — that is, their very first pole position in the sport. Such retrospectives are often published around notable qualifying sessions, highlighting how difficult and rare it can be for some drivers to reach the front of the grid, even after many seasons of competing.

The Italian Grand Prix remains one of the most historic and popular fixtures on the F1 calendar, with Monza known for its long straights and passionate fans. The circuit's layout typically rewards raw engine power and low drag, making Saturday's qualifying result even more notable to many observers within the sport.

With qualifying now complete, attention turns to Sunday's race, where questions remain over whether Gasly can hold off faster rivals, including Russell, over a full Grand Prix distance. His ability to manage tyres and pressure from behind is likely to be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

For now, though, Gasly's pole position stands as one of the standout storylines of the Italian Grand Prix weekend, adding an unpredictable element to a race that, in recent seasons, has often been dominated by a small group of front-running teams.