Franco Colapinto delivered the best qualifying performance of his Formula 1 career by securing the seventh starting position for the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Driving an upgraded Alpine A526, Colapinto advanced to Q3 while his teammate Pierre Gasly claimed a historic pole position.
Upgraded Alpine A526 and Historic Pole in Monza
The weekend at the historic Autodromo Nazionale de Monza marked a decisive turning point for Alpine. Entering the 13th round of the 2026 season, the French constructor introduced an important evolution, with modifications especially in the floor of the car to try to improve its aerodynamic performance. The circuit has a length of 5,793 kilometers, features 11 curves, and is known as the Temple of Speed
for its extensive straights and its high-speed characteristics.
Pierre Gasly delivered the shock of the day by snatching pole position from George Russell and Oscar Piastri, achieving an extraordinary performance for the French team. Gasly clocked in at 1m21s786/1000 and, at 30 years old, secured his first pole in 190 grand prix.
The Frenchman Pierre Gasly was the fastest and surprised Formula 1, on the same Monza track where he achieved his only victory in the category, in 2020, when he drove an Alpha Tauri.
Colapinto’s Qualy Breakthrough and Grid Penalties
Colapinto’s progression through Saturday’s qualifying sessions established a steady rhythm. In the first practice session on Friday, Colapinto finished 9th with a time of 1:24.028 debuting updates on his single-seater and with positive feelings. The fastest were the Ferrari drivers, with Charles Leclerc leading with 1:23.008 followed by Lewis Hamilton (+0.173). George Russell (Mercedes) completed the podium, while Paul Aron, who replaced Gasly for this session, finished in tenth position. In the second session on Friday, Colapinto improved his mark and closed with 1:23.619 in 11th position. In the first qualifying stint, the Alpine driver completed a single fast lap in which he marked 1:22.662, a record that allowed him to place fourth and advance to the next stage, achieving the best time in the first sector on two occasions.
During Q2, the Argentine again showed a good pace and managed to finish ahead of the Ferrari drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Franco Colapinto completed a fabulous qualifying session by entering Q3 and clocking the eighth fastest time on track, which turned into the seventh starting position for Sunday’s race thanks to the penalty on Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes. The Pilar native thus signed the best starting position of his entire career in the pinnacle of motorsport, confirming the enormous feelings he had been hinting at in the free practice sessions. The Argentine, who days ago was confirmed to continue with the team in 2027, finished 434/1000 behind his teammate, whom he went to hug and congratulate upon getting out of the car.
Race Day Logistics and Championship Stakes
With the lights out scheduled for 10:00 (Argentina time), Sunday’s event promises strong emotions on the mythical Italian track. Colapinto will start from the fourth row alongside illustrious names of the category and with a great opportunity to score heavy points for the championship. The race will take place at the Autodromo Nazionale de Monza and will be the thirteenth date of the season.
The Enstone structure demonstrated that it has the top speed pace necessary to fight firmly at the top, placing its two cars within the top 10 and fueling the team’s hopes.
