Gasly on pole, Russell chasing victory and Antonelli's charge from the back: What to expect in the Italian Grand Prix
- Meghana Sree
- 54 minutes ago
- 5 min read
What a wild weekend it’s been, and we haven’t even gotten to the Grand Prix yet. Pierre Gasly shook the Formula One world with an unprecedented yet thoroughly deserved maiden pole, nine years into his F1 career and seen by many as a point proven against the FIA after being stripped of his Monaco podium.
After an intense and narrowly contested qualifying session that saw the closest Q3 in F1 history, with just half a second covering the top 10, we’re all set for the Italian Grand Prix with storylines buzzing across the grid.
Here are five of them to keep an eye on as we prepare to race around the storied corners of Monza.
Can Gasly do it?
The Alpine driver stealing pole from the dominant Mercedes was one thing no one could’ve predicted heading into the weekend, but as qualifying got underway, it became increasingly clear that Gasly was a true threat for the quickest lap.
After topping Q1 and comfortably clearing Q2, Gasly continued to pull together rapid sectors in Q3 while the rest of the grid struggled to improve on their personal best despite the coordinated tows between teammates.
Gasly’s final push lap that secured him pole was brilliantly timed from Alpine, being one of the last drivers to set his lap. The team took the risk of encountering traffic ahead, but it was a measure that paid off as Gasly capitalised on a slipstream from Lewis Hamilton that pushed him six-hundredths of a second clear of George Russell to snatch a shock pole.
These advantages combined with poor execution from the others definitely helped Gasly’s effort.
The Mercedes power unit and their low-downforce package also made pole possible for the Frenchman, and now the focus will be on maintaining position against the much stronger teams behind.
Russell and the two Ferraris start behind Gasly as he will lead off the grid from pole for the first time in his career. A podium finish to make up for the loss of the Monaco one seems slightly more realistic, but in a sport where anything can happen such as a car currently sixth in the Constructors’ standings clinching pole on pure pace, a victory is certainly not off the cards.
Home heroes on a charge
Three top drivers will be eager to bring the Italian crowd a reason to celebrate this afternoon. Charles Leclerc and Hamilton driving for Ferrari, as well as Bologna-born Kimi Antonelli.
For Leclerc and Hamilton, starting third and fourth respectively, the win will be their priority. However, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see which driver they ultimately back for the victory depending on the pace they unleash. Hamilton’s third place in the Drivers’ championship will also be under consideration, and ultimately, both Leclerc and Hamilton will be hoping that a repeat of the poor team execution from last time out in Zandvoort won’t hinder either of their races.
Meanwhile it’s a different story for Antonelli, who qualified seventh but will be starting his home race from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty.
Antonelli will be keen to make moves early in the race, harnessing the power of his rapid Mercedes package to scythe his way through the field. A Safety Car or any other interruptions in proceedings could play into his advantage, but until then, it’ll be an uphill climb for the Italian driver in a bid to keep his podium streak alive — having scored a top three finish in every race he’s completed this year, barring the DNF in Silverstone.
Russell with a point to prove
With his closest competitor starting from the back of the grid, this is undoubtedly Russell’s chance to secure a victory and signal that his hat is still in the ring for championship glory.
His first task will be to clear Gasly at the start, and then to keep the Prancing Horses at bay. But if Gasly puts up a fight and the Ferrari pair get the better of him on home soil, Russell’s title aspirations could take yet another hit despite Antonelli’s disadvantage this round.
A win to regain lost momentum in Zandvoort will be Russell’s order of the day.
McLaren’s redemption drives
Qualifying for the Papaya outfit was dismal, despite showing flashes of pace. Oscar Piastri managed to clinch third but a grid drop for impeding Liam Lawson sees him relegated to sixth.
Meanwhile, Lando Norris starts in eighth, after qualifying ninth and being bumped up a spot with Antonelli’s penalty applied. He finished his final Q3 effort without a tow from Piastri, the Australian driver having locked-up into Turn 1 and abandoning that lap, thus compromising Norris.
Moreover, McLaren took some time to ease into the expected qualifying performance, with their Q1 runs riddled with faulty brakes and bumpy rides.
Going into the race, the pair will hope they can unleash more performance and challenge the drivers ahead for a podium finish, or even a victory if they keep up the momentum from the past two race weekends.
A tightening midfield battle
The midfield battle always heats up during the second half of the year, and 2026 is no different. The biggest swing factor ahead of this race is indubitably Gasly starting on pole and having the chance of a huge points haul.
Franco Colapinto also starts in the top 10, qualifying seventh, giving Alpine the advantage over Racing Bulls with Lindblad in ninth and Yuki Tsunoda in 15th, the Japanese driver stepping in for another weekend with Isack Hadjar still recovering.
16 points separate Alpine from Racing Bulls. If all goes to plan, that gap can easily be closed this race.
Further battles down the order include those between Haas and Audi, with the teams separated by just five points. All four drivers from the teams line up in close proximity, with Gabriel Bortoleto leading this pack in 10th.
It’s all to play for in Monza, with all the ingredients primed for a thrilling spectacle at the Temple of Speed.
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