Daily News 19

Tag: Pierre Gasly

  • Lando Norris Says FIA Should Hand Franco Colapinto a Race Ban After Baku F1 Crash

    Lando Norris Says FIA Should Hand Franco Colapinto a Race Ban After Baku F1 Crash

    Key Highlights

    • Lando Norris called for at least a one-race ban after Franco Colapinto’s restart crash at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
    • Colapinto locked up on cold tyres and brakes at Turn 1, colliding with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly and McLaren’s Norris.
    • The incident eliminated both Norris and Gasly, while Colapinto apologized to his team, Gasly and Norris.

    Lando Norris demands tougher punishment for Franco Colapinto

    Reigning world champion Lando Norris believes Franco Colapinto should receive “at least a one-race ban” for causing a three-car incident during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart in Baku.

    On lap 36, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and went straight into Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was caught in the collision as the two Alpine cars tangled, forcing both Gasly and Norris to retire from the race.

    The crash ended a difficult afternoon for Norris, who had struggled for pace and made a Turn 1 error of his own on the restart that dropped him into the pack. The McLaren driver was angered by what he considered careless driving and argued that Formula 1’s race stewards should impose stronger penalties for incidents of this nature.

    “I’ve not seen it. I just got taken out. I think the FIA should be stricter and start handing out bans for this kind of stuff,” Norris vented. “It’s careless from people. It costs a lot of money; all my parts are in the bin now. People should just get banned, because that’s not driving that deserves to be in Formula 1.

    Norris rejects cold conditions as an excuse

    Asked whether the slippery Baku circuit and low tyre temperatures provided mitigating circumstances, Norris said Formula 1 drivers should anticipate reduced grip during a restart. He also questioned whether the conditions were unusually difficult for the field.

    “In Formula 1, I think you expect drivers to anticipate things. Grip is going to be low; tyre temps are low; they weren’t even that low. In Formula 1, we want to be against the best drivers in the world, and when stuff like this happens, it’s because [they] shouldn’t be there.

    Norris said he had not yet reviewed the incident, but maintained that causing a crash during a restart warranted a significant sanction.

    “I’ve not seen it, but if you cause a crash in a restart like this, you should have at least a one-race ban.”

    Franco Colapinto apologizes after Azerbaijan GP crash

    Colapinto also accepted responsibility for the collision. The Argentine driver was battling for points alongside Gasly before his mistake ended the Alpine team’s chance of scoring with both cars and eliminated Norris from the race.

    “A big mistake,” the Argentinian acknowledged. “I locked up completely with cold tyres and cold brakes and was out of control completely. Not a lot to say more than sorry to the team, to Pierre of course, to all the factory.

    Colapinto said Alpine had worked hard to score points in Baku and described the crash as a major disappointment. He also apologized directly to Norris after recognizing that his mistake had ended the McLaren driver’s race.

    “We’ve been working really hard to score points and I threw it away with that big mistake. So, I’m very sad for the team. Of course it’s a big disappointment. I’m sorry to Lando as well.”

    Why This Matters

    The Azerbaijan Grand Prix restart highlighted the risks drivers face when grip and tyre temperatures are low in the opening corners after a neutralization. The collision had consequences for three drivers, ended Norris’s race and damaged Alpine’s points prospects while intensifying the debate over whether restart incidents should attract harsher Formula 1 penalties.

    Norris’s comments were based on his initial view from inside the incident, while Colapinto acknowledged that his lock-up left him out of control. The severity of any official response remains a matter for the FIA race stewards.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What happened between Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris?

    During the lap 36 restart at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Colapinto locked up his cold front tyres and collided with Alpine teammate Pierre Gasly at Turn 1. Norris was also collected in the incident.

    Why does Lando Norris want Franco Colapinto banned?

    Norris believes Colapinto’s restart mistake was careless and serious enough to justify a one-race ban. Norris said such incidents cause costly damage and should receive stricter punishment.

    Did Franco Colapinto accept responsibility?

    Yes. Colapinto described the crash as a “big mistake,” said he was completely out of control after locking up, and apologized to Alpine, Gasly and Norris.

  • Pierre Gasly buoyed by Alpine gains after double Q3 appearance in Baku: ‘There was even more in it’

    Pierre Gasly buoyed by Alpine gains after double Q3 appearance in Baku: ‘There was even more in it’

    Key Highlights

    • Pierre Gasly qualified seventh for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but believes yellow flags on his final runs cost Alpine a potential top-six start and a shot at overtaking Lewis Hamilton.
    • Teammate Franco Colapinto reached Q3 for the third time in 2026 but settled for tenth after a heavy lock-up at Turn 15 ruined his final flying lap.
    • With Racing Bulls rivals Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad starting outside the top ten, Alpine has a prime opportunity to cut the nine-point deficit in the ‘best of the rest’ Constructors’ battle.

    Gasly Believes Yellow Flags Masked Alpine’s True Baku Pace

    Pierre Gasly insists Alpine’s qualifying performance at the Baku City Circuit was stronger than the seventh-place grid slot suggests, revealing that yellow flags triggered by rivals running off track compromised his final two attempts in Q3. The Frenchman, fresh off his maiden pole position at Monza earlier this month, felt he had the pace to challenge Lewis Hamilton for sixth place before the session was repeatedly neutralized.

    Speaking after the session, Gasly emphasized the progress made with the A524’s setup around the demanding street layout. Very good work this weekend in terms of car set-up and getting to a place where I can really be comfortable with the balance and commit everywhere. I’m very pleased. He added that the car felt well-balanced enough to attack aggressively, a sentiment backed by his pace in the earlier qualifying segments where he peaked at sixth.

    Missed Opportunity in the ‘Best of the Rest’ Fight

    The context of the result amplifies its significance for the Enstone squad. Alpine currently trails Racing Bulls by nine points in the fight to be the leading midfield team—often termed ‘best of the rest’ behind the top four outfits. With Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad both eliminated outside the top ten on Saturday, the Azerbaijani Grand Prix represents a golden opportunity for Alpine to score heavily and close the gap.

    Gasly acknowledged the frustration of the yellow flags but maintained a constructive outlook on the broader championship picture. Strong Qualifying – honestly, our last two runs were both compromised with people going off, so I think there was even more in it. I think [getting] ahead of Lewis [Hamilton] was possible. He stressed that the team cannot control external factors but remains satisfied with the underlying performance. We don’t control it, we were just unlucky that people kept going off in front of us. Overall, bigger picture, I’m just happy with the car we have. It’s a good baseline that also gives me good confidence for tomorrow and the coming races.

    Colapinto Struggles with Braking Confidence in Q3

    While Gasly celebrated a strong baseline, the session was more challenging for Franco Colapinto. The Argentine rookie progressed to Q3 for the third time this season—a milestone marking Alpine’s third double-Q3 appearance of 2026—but a significant lock-up at Turn 15 on his final run induced heavy vibrations, forcing him to abort the lap and settle for tenth.

    Colapinto was candid about his difficulties with the Baku street circuit’s heavy braking zones. I think generally there’s still a lot to improve. It’s not been an easy session. I lacked a bit of pace, but then Q3 was not very well executed – I had this big lock-up and then I had really big vibrations for the last lap. He acknowledged the team’s developmental trajectory but admitted discomfort in the high-deceleration corners that define the Azerbaijan layout. We’re still doing the steps, we’re improving. I just lacked a bit in that Q3 to have a better result, but I will try to fight tomorrow and go forward. It’s good to have both cars in Q3.

    The rookie elaborated on the specific handling trait hindering his confidence. I’m not very comfortable in the hard braking zones, and here it’s full of those. It doesn’t feel so easy at the minute but we’ll try to work for tomorrow.

    Why This Matters: Constructors’ Battle Intensifies

    The Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend has evolved into a pivotal round in the midfield championship standings. Alpine’s double Q3 appearance provides a tactical advantage over Racing Bulls, who failed to place either car in the top ten shootout. With both Alpine drivers starting inside the top ten—Gasly seventh and Colapinto tenth—the French manufacturer controls the strategic initiative for Sunday’s race.

    Gasly’s assessment that Ferrari holds a pace advantage is realistic, but the gap to the Scuderia appears manageable, while the deficit to Racing Bulls on the grid offers a tangible shot at maximum points. Historically, Baku’s high attrition rate and frequent Safety Car periods reward track position and strategic flexibility—areas where Alpine currently excels. The team’s ability to extract performance from the A524 on low-downforce street circuits signals a positive development trend heading into the final flyaway races of the season.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What grid positions do Alpine drivers start from in Baku?

    Pierre Gasly will start seventh and Franco Colapinto tenth for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, giving Alpine a double top-ten start.

    How does this result affect the Constructors’ Championship battle with Racing Bulls?

    Alpine trails Racing Bulls by nine points. With both Racing Bulls drivers (Lawson and Lindblad) starting outside the top ten, Alpine has a significant opportunity to score more points and close the gap in the fight for sixth place.

    Why was Gasly unable to improve on his final Q3 runs?

    Gasly’s last two flying laps in Q3 were compromised by yellow flags caused by other drivers running off track. He believes the car had the pace to qualify sixth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but the session interruptions prevented him from setting a representative time.

  • Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Pierre Gasly Condemns Social Media Abuse as “Completely Inappropriate” After Franco Colapinto Spanish GP Incident

    Key Highlights

    • Pierre Gasly revealed he and his family received social media abuse and threats after the Spanish Grand Prix incident with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto.
    • Both drivers addressed the issue in Baku, with Colapinto condemning the abuse and urging fans to support the team constructively rather than attack drivers.
    • The on-track incident has been resolved internally at Alpine, with both drivers confirming discussions took place and no team order for a position swap was issued.

    Gasly Details Disturbing Scale of Online Abuse After Spanish GP

    Pierre Gasly has disclosed the disturbing extent of social media abuse directed at him, his family, and his girlfriend following the Spanish Grand Prix, where an on-track situation with Alpine teammate Franco Colapinto sparked a wave of online vitriol. Speaking to media including Motorsport.com in Baku on Wednesday, the French driver described the threats and attacks as “completely inappropriate” and called on Formula 1 to address a culture where lines are crossed “too many times” by fans hiding behind keyboards.

    The incident occurred during the closing stages of the Madrid race when Colapinto, on fresher tyres, caught Gasly, who was managing worn rubber ahead of a scheduled pit stop. Despite team warnings about his teammate’s approach, Gasly held his line and requested the pit wall not distract him. Colapinto subsequently called for a position swap over team radio. Gasly pitted at the end of the lap, allowing Colapinto to inherit seventh place ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

    Drivers Unite in Condemnation of Toxic Fan Behavior

    In the Azerbaijan paddock, both drivers presented a united front against the subsequent harassment. Gasly emphasized the personal toll when abuse extends beyond the driver to loved ones.

    “I think personally I find it a little bit disturbing for our sport. I think to the extent you know I’m a top athlete, so I know I’m exposed, it’s always been the case. But to that extent of threats and attacks, I find it a little bit, well even completely inappropriate, especially when it reaches out to family members, girlfriend, etc,”

    Gasly reflected on the changing landscape of fan interaction since his Formula 1 debut, urging the sport to foster a healthier environment.

    “I don’t think that should be the case. I leave it there, but things were not that way in the past and I think as a sport we just need to find a way to make it a healthier place because you’re exposed.” Gasly said. “You’re going to be attacked, you can be liked, you can be disliked, it’s completely fine. But there is a certain line that should not be crossed just because you’re behind the screen on a keyboard and these lines are crossed a bit too many times.”

    Colapinto, who has attracted a massive and passionate Argentine following since his arrival in F1, explicitly condemned the abuse targeting his teammate. He drew parallels to previous incidents, including the online attacks directed at Yuki Tsunoda following their clash in Austria last year and the abuse received by stewards after the Zandvoort race.

    “We are always working as a team, and it’s not nice to see it, so hopefully they can stop it,” Colapinto said. “The same that happened to other drivers, Yuki [Tsunoda following a clash in Austria] last year was quite bad as well at one point, and talked about it, and the stewards, I think after Zandvoort, went to see them as well, they had some abuse after the penalty they gave me.

    “It happens a lot with fans in Formula 1, in any sport, nowadays it’s something very common, unfortunately that shouldn’t be common, and definitely should be taken more care about the things, the words that they come out of the keyboards of everyone.

    “The way to support us as a team is to push the team forward and stay strong together, and yeah, hopefully it doesn’t keep happening, but it’s something tricky with fans in the sport, and it’s not just my fans. I’ve got some very passionate ones, and they want me to do well, and hopefully they can enjoy the good results I’m having.”

    On-Track Incident Resolved Internally at Alpine

    Beyond the social media fallout, both drivers confirmed the racing incident itself has been addressed behind closed doors at Alpine. Colapinto stated the matter was handled by the team with a focus on learning, while Gasly clarified the nature of the team communications during the race.

    “I think it was handled by the team, and I think we always try to learn from those things and those situations, so hopefully we learn and we can move forward,”

    “We obviously discussed it with the team. There wasn’t a call for an actual swap, it’s all been discussed with the team and it’s all clear.”

    Why This Matters

    The Gasly-Colapinto episode highlights a growing crisis in Formula 1 regarding online harassment. As the sport’s popularity surges—driven by Netflix’s Drive to Survive and expanding global audiences—the volume and toxicity of social media interactions have escalated. Drivers including Lando Norris, Charles Leclerc, and Nicholas Latifi have previously spoken about death threats and abuse targeting families. The FIA and Formula 1 have launched initiatives like the “Drive Out Hate” campaign, but enforcement remains challenging across decentralized platforms. For teams like Alpine, managing internal driver dynamics while protecting personnel from external toxicity has become a critical operational concern. The fact that both drivers publicly aligned on condemning the abuse—and clarified the racing incident was a misunderstanding resolved internally—signals a maturing approach to team cohesion under pressure.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What exactly happened between Gasly and Colapinto at the Spanish Grand Prix?

    During the final laps, Franco Colapinto caught Pierre Gasly on older tyres. Gasly held his position despite team warnings about his teammate’s pace, prompting Colapinto to request a position swap over radio. Gasly pitted shortly after, allowing Colapinto to finish seventh.

    Did Alpine issue a team order for Gasly to let Colapinto pass?

    No. Gasly explicitly confirmed in Baku: “There wasn’t a call for an actual swap.” The matter was discussed internally and resolved.

    Has Formula 1 taken action against online abuse of drivers?

    Formula 1 and the FIA have launched campaigns such as “Drive Out Hate” and work with social media platforms to identify and remove abusive content. However, drivers continue to report that threats—especially those targeting family members—remain prevalent and often go unpunished.

  • Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto Reveals Key Takeaways from Gasly at Monza

    Franco Colapinto credited a detailed review of Pierre Gasly’s Monza qualifying masterclass for his own breakthrough performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, where the Alpine driver reached Q3 and converted a strong Saturday into a points-scoring seventh-place finish on Sunday.

    Monza Disparity Sparks Data Deep Dive

    The turning point arrived at the Italian Grand Prix. Despite running closely in the opening segment — Colapinto was fourth in Q1, just 0.050 seconds behind session-topper Gasly — the gap yawned as qualifying progressed. Gasly found three tenths in Q2 and four tenths in Q3 to claim a shock pole position, leaving his rookie teammate eighth on the grid.

    Reflecting on the session immediately after, Colapinto acknowledged the deficit:

    “Pierre was very quick throughout qualifying. In Q1 I was very close, and I think as the sessions went on, he kept improving more than I did. I have a lot to work on on my side to understand that and learn from how much he was improving with every attempt while I was falling a little bit behind,”

    Colapinto said at the time.

    Determined to close the gap, the Argentine spent the intervening week poring over telemetry and video to dissect where Gasly extracted additional performance run after run.

    Madrid Turnaround: ‘One of My Best Qualifying Sessions’

    The preparation paid dividends at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Colapinto outqualified Gasly across every segment, advancing to Q3 despite abandoning his first Q2 run after running wide at the high-speed La Monumental corner.

    Speaking to media including Motorsport.com after the race, he described the Saturday performance as a career highlight:

    “[Madrid] qualifying was one of the best qualifying sessions I’ve done, with very, very perfect laps and putting the car into Q3. It was always going to be tricky with the Audis and the RBs going very fast here,”

    Colapinto told media including Motorsport.com after finishing seventh on Sunday.

    Race day validated the single-lap pace. Colapinto held position through the opening chaos, managed tyre degradation effectively, and crossed the line seventh to secure six valuable championship points.

    “Today we stayed ahead in the race and scored a lot of points. So I’m very happy. Once again, it’s extremely positive and I’m very happy with the pace and the results.”

    Lessons in Energy Management and Incremental Improvement

    Asked specifically what he had absorbed from Gasly’s Monza approach, Colapinto highlighted a blend of driving technique and strategic systems management — the latter a critical skill in modern Formula 1 qualifying where energy deployment curves differ between Q1, Q2, and Q3.

    “I think a bit of everything,” he said. “He is more experienced and the steps he was making in everything, both in driving and energy management, from one run to another, from Q1 to Q2 to Q3, were very clear. I learned from that.”

    The rookie felt his own progression through the Madrid qualifying hour mirrored that lesson.

    “I ticked everything and I’m very pleased with that. I think after Monza I learned a lot from Pierre’s qualifying and I tried to take a step here. I did it and I maximised everything again,”

    he said.

    “I think here I was really on it in qualifying, at a very difficult track. It’s probably the most difficult one of the year to nail a lap and also the most satisfying one when you do it. Both Q2 and Q3 were amazing laps. Again, I took a step there and that’s what I was looking for. So I’m happy with that.”

    With the European summer swing underway, Alpine will hope the intra-team dynamic continues to elevate both drivers as the midfield battle intensifies.

  • F1 Drivers React to ‘Insane’ New Madring Circuit: ‘A Dream Come True to Race Here’

    F1 Drivers React to ‘Insane’ New Madring Circuit: ‘A Dream Come True to Race Here’

    Formula 1 Returns to Madrid: Drivers React to the New Madring Circuit

    Formula 1 drivers will once again experience the thrill of racing at a new venue this weekend at the Spanish Grand Prix, where anticipation for the unknown has already spread through the paddock at the Madring. Spain’s capital city welcomes F1 back for the first time in 45 years with a purpose-built track that blends public roads with permanent sections. Its high speeds, twisty layout, and unique banked corner — suitably named La Monumental — have generated significant discussion about what to expect when the action begins.

    Homecoming for Carlos Sainz at the Madring

    While on-track running starts with Free Practice 1 at 13:30 local time on Friday, September 11, many drivers have already used simulators to familiarize themselves with the venue, and early reactions suggest competitive sessions ahead. Madrid-born Carlos Sainz is especially eager for the round. The Spaniard will not only contest his first true home race but also serves as a circuit ambassador. Sainz was the first driver on the grid to complete a lap of the Madring, albeit in a road car while the track was still incomplete. At the time, he called it “honestly impressive” and admitted that he “didn’t expect it to be so flowing, so wide” — comments he expanded upon upon his return to the city.

    “I’m for sure going to enjoy this a lot,” he told the media on Thursday. “It’s going to be busy, but also emotional. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible. It looks like the track has a character that is charismatic, with a lot of different types of corners.”

    Alonso Embraces Double Spanish Round

    Fernando Alonso, who boasts 25 years of racing in Spain as an F1 driver, finds this weekend no less remarkable. Instead, the two-time champion embraces the chance to compete twice in his home nation in the same season, having already contested the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

    “It’s going to be a very nice weekend,” Alonso said. “We have this privilege to race two times in Spain this year, and for the very first time in Madrid. It is special. Also a new track, so it adds this challenge for everyone to learn the track as quick as possible in Free Practice. For me, it’s double special being in Spain.

    “Madrid is one of the best cities in the world so to have a Grand Prix and to welcome F1 here is incredible. I think for any racing driver, to win in Madrid will mean a lot.

    “It’s very technical, lots of kerb riding and a couple of high-speed sections where you need to get very close to the walls, which is very attractive and very high adrenaline for a driver – close to Jeddah.”

    Alpine Duo Excited by Technical Challenge

    Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto shared similar enthusiasm after their strong Monza outing, where Gasly claimed a shock pole position before the pair delivered a double points finish.

    “The track itself on the simulator looked insane,” Gasly raved. “To drive it was very fun – lots of technical and twisty corners. From everything I’ve heard, it’s definitely something very unique. So, big challenge, but I’m excited for this type of weekend where everything is brand new for everyone.

    “I think the challenge driving-wise should not be underestimated, because it’s 15 corners, and they’re absolutely crazy – with undulation, going up and down, banking, 90-degree corners, 180-degree corners, low speed, high speed – you name it, you’ve got a bit of everything.

    “It’s exciting. As a driver, it feels like you’re going to have many opportunities around the lap to actually make these small gains everywhere. I think the track layout is something I’ve never seen before. I’m sure we’re going to have huge adrenaline in the car.”

    Colapinto, who previously lived in Madrid, added a personal perspective:

    “I’m really excited to be back here in Spain. Madrid does feel like the closest to home, I think especially because of my previous experiences and how I started in Europe – I started here in Madrid.

    “To be racing here in F1 is a dream come true. I think it’s very good for the sport as well to have another big city like Madrid being back on the calendar, putting a very exciting track [together]. It looks like a very good one to drive. It’s going to be cool.”

    Midfield and Frontrunners Alike Anticipate Opportunities

    Cadillac driver Sergio Perez labelled the venue “a proper track”, while Ollie Bearman admitted that “new tracks are always incredibly fun for us” — possibly because incidents at unfamiliar circuits can create openings for midfield teams like Haas to score.

    The frontrunners also anticipate an intriguing round. Mercedes’ George Russell, targeting his first win since Round 8 in Austria, offered his assessment:

    “It seems a wild track to be fair,” he admitted. “It’s mental but excited to experience it. Going to be a real challenge and I think Qualifying is going to be important.

    “The level of everyone in F1 is exceptionally high. It’s going to be a circuit where you need confidence. Very challenging, lots of high speed corners, aggressive kerbs. Going to be an experience for sure. Just try and keep out of the wall and build up to it.”

    With a layout described as technical, high-speed, and unlike anything else on the calendar, the Madring promises a compelling debut for Formula 1 in Madrid.

  • ‘Everyone Was Buzzing’: Pierre Gasly’s Monza Pole ‘Brings Belief and Motivation’ to Alpine Ahead of 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

    ‘Everyone Was Buzzing’: Pierre Gasly’s Monza Pole ‘Brings Belief and Motivation’ to Alpine Ahead of 2026 Spanish Grand Prix

    Pierre Gasly believes his maiden Formula 1 pole position at Monza “brings belief and motivation” to Alpine as the team targets another strong result at the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend. The French driver’s surprise pole at the Italian Grand Prix marked a dramatic turnaround for the Enstone-based squad, which spent much of the 2025 season battling at the rear of the grid.

    Monza Breakthrough Fuels Team Confidence

    Speaking during Thursday’s media session ahead of the inaugural race at the Madring circuit, Gasly emphasized the psychological impact of the team’s breakthrough performance.

    “It meant a lot to all the team, because it’s not like we’ve had easy weekends, especially coming from last year into 2026,” he said. “We put a lot of effort into this year’s car, and to actually get the reward from all that hard work from everyone was incredible.

    “The smiles I could see on the faces in the garage, all the people at the factory – everyone was buzzing. I’m very pleased for all of them that we were able to do it.

    “It just brings that extra confidence and boost of motivation that if we actually get everything right, this type of result — which seems unachievable — is actually possible. I think it definitely brings belief and motivation to try to do even better and repeat this type of performance.I told the guys it’s been 17 years since there was a pole for Enstone, and I’m not waiting another 17 years until we do another one. So it’s a great boost of motivation, and hopefully we can repeat that in the near future.”

    New Challenge at the Madring Circuit

    Drivers and teams face a completely different test this weekend at the Madring, a new venue featuring high-speed, banked corners that none of the competitors have raced on before. Gasly described the circuit as “it’s going to be a proper racing track” and shared his initial impressions from simulator work.

    “I have no idea about the racing yet, but driving-wise in the simulator it was incredible, so I’m excited to see what it’s like in real life.”

    Zidane Meeting Provides Extra Inspiration

    Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Gasly spent time with football legend Zinedine Zidane while filming a collaborative project. The Alpine driver, a passionate football fan, revealed he sought advice from the newly appointed France national team coach following the Monza success.

    “I’m a big fan of Zizou, so it’s always nice. He’s such a nice guy, and it’s always great to actually have access to him,”

    Gasly said.

    “He’s now the coach of our national team, so you know how much I love football. I was asking questions and trying to get a few bits of information on what’s coming.”

  • Five Quick Takeaways from the F1 Italian Grand Prix

    Five Quick Takeaways from the F1 Italian Grand Prix

    Antonelli Delivers Statement Win as Monza Exposes Championship Fault Lines

    Kimi Antonelli delivered what may be the most decisive blow yet in his intra-team championship battle with George Russell, storming from the back of the grid to claim a commanding victory at the Italian Grand Prix. The Mercedes rookie’s performance at Monza signaled not just a coming-of-age moment, but a potential shift in the team’s hierarchy.

    Antonelli’s Masterclass Overwhelms Russell’s Home Advantage

    Monza was framed as Russell’s prime opportunity to reclaim ground in the standings after Antonelli took a power-unit penalty and started last. Instead, the 18-year-old Italian needed barely 15 laps to slice through the field and settle into second behind his teammate. A pit stop briefly interrupted his charge, but Antonelli reclaimed the lead with authority. His first overtaking attempt was slightly ragged, but once he found clean air, his pace was simply unmatchable.

    McLaren’s MCL40 Fails the Temple of Speed Test

    After back-to-back wins in Hungary and the Netherlands, McLaren arrived at Monza knowing the circuit’s long straights and tight chicanes would test the MCL40’s low-drag efficiency. Team principal Andrea Stella had warned that replicating recent form would be “executed at the level we should have,” and that caution proved prescient.

    Qualifying execution fell short of the team’s standards, but the race told an even clearer story: neither Oscar Piastri nor Lando Norris could mount a serious challenge on Sunday. The characteristics that made the MCL40 dominant through medium-speed corners at the Hungaroring and Zandvoort became liabilities at the Temple of Speed, leaving McLaren searching for answers before the next round.

    Ferrari’s Internal Tensions Surface Under Home Pressure

    As Lewis Hamilton remains mathematically in the title hunt, the cordial facade at Ferrari is showing strain. Hamilton questioned why the Scuderia isn’t maximizing its chances to support his championship bid—a barely veiled request for preferential treatment. Charles Leclerc’s response on track was pointed: at the start, he gave his seven-time world champion teammate minimal room at Turn 2, forcing Hamilton wide and momentarily dropping him to ninth.

    While Leclerc’s defense was within the rules, the optics of two Ferraris racing each other so aggressively—while Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren pulled away—did not play well in front of the tifosi. Leclerc’s own race ended in a crash at the end of Lap 2, turning a potential team crisis into a solo disaster. Team principal Fred Vasseur faces a delicate management challenge heading into Madrid.

    Leclerc’s Speed Undeniable, But Costly Errors Persist

    No one questions Charles Leclerc’s raw pace. His Achilles’ heel, however, is becoming a pattern: high-profile crashes at critical moments. Monza 2024 joins a list that includes Monza 2020 and Monaco, even as he has won at both circuits this season. The inconsistency is costly—especially as the gap to Hamilton in the standings widens beyond what Ferrari anticipated. Leclerc will deliver more brilliance, but the mistakes remain a championship-limiting factor.

    Alpine’s Pole Dream Ends in Constructors’ Reality

    Pierre Gasly’s shock pole position was entirely earned—no mixed conditions, no red-flag luck, just a sensational lap amplified by a well-timed tow. Yet Sunday’s race laid bare the performance gap to the top four teams. Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren drivers streamed past the Alpine, leaving Gasly seventh—a result that would normally delight Enstone, but felt hollow from pole.

    The silver lining: seventh place secures valuable points in the tight fight for fifth in the constructors’ championship, keeping Alpine ahead of rivals in the midfield battle.

  • Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Beats George Russell Twice in One Afternoon to Claim Monza Pole After Chess.com

    Pierre Gasly Claims Shock Maiden Pole at Monza, Beating George Russell After Pre-Session Chess Match

    Pierre Gasly delivered one of the most stunning moments of the Formula 1 season on Saturday at Monza, securing a shock pole position at the very circuit where he claimed his sole grand prix victory back in 2020. The French driver edged out pre-session favorite George Russell by a mere 0.060 seconds in the closing minutes of qualifying, earning the first pole position of his nine-year F1 career.

    Chess Rivalry Adds Narrative Twist to Qualifying Battle

    The on-track duel carried an intriguing subplot: the pair had just finished an online chess game minutes before the session began. Russell revealed the lighthearted rivalry during the post-qualifying press conference.

    “Massive congrats to Pierre because that’s an incredible performance,” Russell said at the post-qualifying press conference. “We were actually finishing a game of chess about 15 minutes before qualifying and he beat me there, and I thought, ‘Well, I think I’ll beat you in qualifying,’ and here we are, he’s ahead of me again.



    “So, yeah, huge congrats to him. Of course, I was disappointed not to get the pole position.”

    Drivers Discover Shared Chess Obsession

    Gasly explained that the two drivers only discovered their mutual passion for chess during Friday’s drivers’ briefing. They quickly exchanged profiles on Chess.com and played multiple games leading up to qualifying.

    “Well, I mean, since the [drivers’] briefing last night, I figured out that he’s obsessed with chess,” Gasly said. “I am obsessed with chess. We have a few in the paddock, a few drivers, to be obsessed with it. So, we’ve just exchanged our IDs on Chess.com and we’ve had a little game going on, one yesterday, another one that carried on to today.”

    Gasly entered qualifying with confidence boosted by his chess performance, though his performance coach Ben Thorne offered a prescient warning.

    “And I must say, before the quali, I felt pretty confident because I was picking piece after piece. And, yeah, again, for the fun story, Ben [Thorne, performance coach] told me, ‘Well, you’re getting George here, but he’s going to get you in a few minutes.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, fuck off.’



    “Turned out that, yeah, it worked out well. So, yeah, it’s been fun. I think we are very competitive and, whether it’s on the track or off the track, we do need to find our little battles everywhere we can.”

    Chess Growing Popularity in F1 Paddock

    The chess rivalry between Gasly and Russell reflects a broader trend in the Formula 1 paddock. Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are known to regularly play against each other, while Carlos Sainz is also recognized as a keen player.

    Pierre Gasly with his performance coach Ben Thorne. Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

    Gasly’s pole position at Monza marks a significant career milestone and sets up a fascinating Italian Grand Prix, with the Alpine driver starting from the front of the grid at a circuit that holds special memories from his 2020 victory with AlphaTauri.

  • Monaco GP Appeal Ruling Fails to Motivate Pierre Gasly for Monza F1 Pole Bid

    Monaco GP Appeal Ruling Fails to Motivate Pierre Gasly for Monza F1 Pole Bid

    Pierre Gasly says he could have done without the FIA’s International Court of Appeal decision to strip him of his Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix podium, especially after securing a shock maiden pole position at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza.

    ICA Overturns Monaco Stewards’ Decision

    The ICA overruled the Monaco stewards’ call to overturn Gasly’s pit-lane speeding penalties from the Monaco race after the pit-lane measurements were found to be inaccurate. After crossing the finish line in third, being demoted to seventh and then recovering third, the Alpine driver has eventually been classified seventh in the final classification of the race.

    Gasly Reacts to ICA Ruling

    A little over 24 hours later, Gasly took a shock maiden F1 pole at the Italian Grand Prix, outpacing Mercedes’ George Russell by 0.060s. Asked if the ICA’s decision was providing “a bit of extra motivation,” the Frenchman was circumspect.

    “I don’t think I can say much about this and all I can say is it’s not a nice situation, not ideal,” the Frenchman replied. “Obviously, I try to use everything I can into something positive and extra motivation, but I think I could have dealt without it this weekend. Yeah, that’s all I’ll say.”

    Qualifying Masterclass After Tough Practice

    After missing Free Practice 1 for Alpine reserve driver Paul Aron to fulfil rookie requirements, Gasly was just 14th in FP2 and ninth in FP3, but leapt forward in qualifying with first in Q1, fourth in Q2 and the fastest time in Q3 – a performance he attributes to “perfect execution” from the team.

    “We knew that there was a bit more on the table in the practice sessions,” Gasly commented, “and then I think it was a very good execution from the team, always putting me in a great position on track, managing the gap as best we could, really.”

    “My last lap, managed to target slightly over 2.5 seconds behind Lewis [Hamilton] when he was going to be fast and sort of drag me with him. So, I think it was perfect execution.”

    “The car balance is probably one of the best I’ve had so far this year, really. Again, gave me the confidence to attack all these corners and sliding around and playing around with the car, and we managed to make it work in that last run when everything mattered.”

    Race Outlook: Front-Runners Behind, Antonelli Starts 20th

    Winning will be a tall order for Gasly, with most frontrunners right behind him on the grid – except championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will start from 20th after exceeding his power unit allowance.

    “It’s going to be obviously great. I’m in the best position, right?” Gasly insisted. “I’m starting first, got no one ahead of me. I just got to focus on my driving and, you know, I know what it looks like having no one around this track, so that’s a good advantage and probably the best place to do it.”

    Six years ago, a fortunately timed safety car intervention vaulted Gasly to the front of the pack; he led for the last 26 laps, withstanding Carlos Sainz’s pressure on his way to a maiden – and so far only – victory.

    “But then, yeah, it’s going to be a long race,” he pondered.

    “I actually felt quite good. Obviously not to the pace of these guys around us, but we seem to have picked up more pace from yesterday to today. So, we’ll obviously give our best shot and see what we can get out of it. But, yeah, I’m excited.”

  • F1 Italian GP: Sunday Schedule, Weather Forecast & How to Watch

    F1 Italian GP: Sunday Schedule, Weather Forecast & How to Watch

    Gasly Claims Stunning Pole for Alpine at 2026 Italian Grand Prix

    Formula 1 arrives at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix with Pierre Gasly on pole position after a remarkable qualifying performance for Alpine at Monza. The French driver edged out George Russell by a mere 0.060 seconds to secure his first career pole position, capitalizing on a strategic tow from Lewis Hamilton during the final Q3 runs.

    Grid Penalties Reshape Starting Order

    The provisional grid faces significant changes due to penalties. Oscar Piastri qualified third for McLaren but will drop three places after impeding Liam Lawson, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli’s seventh-place result at his home race becomes largely academic due to an engine penalty that will relegate him to the back of the field. Lando Norris lines up eighth after missing the benefit of a slipstream from teammate Piastri in the closing stages of qualifying.

    Race Day Factors: Speed, Slipstreams and Heat

    Sunday’s 53-lap contest at the Temple of Speed promises to be shaped by a combination of straight-line velocity, slipstream tactics, energy management, and extreme temperatures. Monza’s long straights and heavy braking zones place a premium on aerodynamic efficiency and power unit performance, while the forecast heat adds another layer of complexity to tyre degradation and brake cooling strategies.

    Italian Grand Prix Sunday Schedule

    The 2026 Italian Grand Prix starts at 3:00 PM CEST on Sunday, September 6. International viewers can tune in at the following times:

    • United Kingdom: 2:00 PM BST
    • US Eastern Time: 9:00 AM ET

    How to Watch the 2026 Italian GP

    Broadcast arrangements vary by region for the 2026 season:

    • United States: Apple TV serves as the primary broadcast partner, with all sessions available on the platform. F1 TV remains the global subscription streaming option.
    • United Kingdom: Sky Sports holds exclusive live rights throughout 2026, with streaming via Sky Go and NOW. Free-to-air highlights air on Channel 4.

    Motorsport.com will provide live text coverage and updates throughout the race weekend.

    Weekend Timetable Recap

    All times local to Monza (CEST):

    • Friday, September 4 — Free Practice 1: 12:30 PM
    • Friday, September 4 — Free Practice 2: 4:00 PM
    • Saturday, September 5 — Free Practice 3: 12:30 PM
    • Saturday, September 5 — Qualifying: 4:00 PM
    • Sunday, September 6 — Grand Prix: 3:00 PM

    Sunday Weather Forecast

    Monza is set for hot, mostly sunny conditions on race day. Temperatures are expected to reach approximately 30°C by midday, making tyre life management, brake temperature control, and engine cooling critical performance differentiators. While a passing shower cannot be entirely ruled out, the primary weather influence will be heat rather than precipitation.

    Circuit Profile: Monza

    Circuit: Monza
    Location: Monza, Italy
    Event: Italian Grand Prix
    Circuit Type: Permanent road course

    Known as Formula 1’s Temple of Speed, Monza features long straights, demanding braking zones, and low-downforce requirements that prioritize efficiency, power, and driver confidence under heavy deceleration.

    Driver Changes for the Weekend

    Isack Hadjar is sidelined by injury for the Italian GP. Liam Lawson replaces him at Red Bull, with Yuki Tsunoda stepping up to Racing Bulls for the event.