Pierre Gasly wants to take advantage of the pole position won at the Italian GP to seek a strong result in this Sunday’s Formula 1 race. The Frenchman, however, acknowledges that keeping rivals behind in Monza will be a difficult task.
Read more F1: Wolff welcomes Kelly Piquet and Penelope in Monza
Gasly surprised in qualifying by putting Alpine in the first position on the grid, a result he himself admitted he did not expect. During the drivers’ parade before the race, the Frenchman highlighted the car’s performance and the team’s preparation to face the battles this Sunday.
“I am extremely happy. It has been amazing since yesterday. We had an excellent qualifying, a very good car, and I am very excited for the race starting first,” he said. “I don’t know how the race will unfold, but we are well prepared and will definitely give our best in the battles.”
When asked if he imagined having the pace to fight for pole, Gasly answered directly. “Absolutely not, but it was a very good surprise and I am extremely happy for the team. Everyone is working hard to improve race after race and the guys were rewarded for this work.”
Read more F1: Raikkonen’s son close to joining Red Bull’s young driver program
The Frenchman also emphasized that he felt progress in the car and valued the opportunity to start in front. “I felt very good in the car. I think we are making good steps. F1 is much more exciting when you start in front, so I am looking forward to this afternoon.”
Gasly also highlighted that this will be his first pole position start in Formula 1. “I have never started from pole in F1, so it will be the first time. I think it will be a race with many battles and lots of competition. We are prepared, we worked hard, and I hope we can have another very good surprise today.”
Read more F1: Lawson and Alonso start from the pits at the Italian GP
