Sep.6 (GMM) Pierre Gasly has produced one of the shocks of the 2026 season by taking pole at Monza, although Ralf Schumacher doubts Alpine can convert it into victory.
Gasly’s result was particularly unexpected given Alpine had not been regarded as a “serious contender” before qualifying, Schumacher said on Sky Deutschland.
“Gasly did something incredible. Will he win the race? No,” added the German.
Schumacher believes tyre degradation will ultimately expose Alpine over a full race distance.
“Under normal circumstances, I don’t think he’ll be able to maintain his pace over the entire distance simply because his tyres will wear out very quickly.”
“But we’ll see. This is Monza, nothing is impossible.”
Flavio Briatore, however, is aiming considerably higher.
“The goal for tomorrow’s race? Win,” he told Italian media.
“If you want to dream, you have to win. If you don’t want to dream, the realistic goal is to finish in the top 3-4.”
Briatore said the pole was especially significant because the Enstone based team had not taken one for 16 years.
“I was emotional. We’re exaggerating if we cry now, but I was emotional,” he admitted.
“We were very competitive, we were a tenth away, and I told (David) Sanchez ‘I think we’ll get pole today.’ And we got it.”
Steve Nielsen said Alpine’s low-drag package and upgrades introduced from Zandvoort helped create the surprise, alongside a well-executed slipstream.
“Our package doesn’t generate much drag, which helps our top speed enormously,” he said.
“So it will be damn hard to overtake us tomorrow – and that feels good.”
The bizarre 2026 Monza energy picture may also have helped scramble the usual order, with Fernando Alonso declaring that the circuit is no longer living up to its famous nickname.
“We enter the track and read ‘Temple of Speed,’ but this is no longer the Temple of Speed,” said the F1 veteran.
“We reached 350-360kph in Barcelona and Budapest, but here we only reach 312.”
Carlos Sainz agreed that the new energy rules have fundamentally changed the circuit.
“We’re in a Formula 1 car with 400 or 500 horsepower in the middle of the straight instead of 1,000 and with a lot of aerodynamic drag,” he said.
“On the straights, limiting speeds to 305 or 310kph… it’s a bit strange. It’s not as good as it used to be.”
Max Verstappen was even more blunt on the radio: “I have less power than a Fiat Punto.”
Join Grand Prix Tours in Austin, Texas for the high-energy 2026 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas. Experience nonstop action on one of Formula 1’s most exciting tracks, featuring dramatic elevation changes, thrilling overtakes, and a packed race weekend. Off the track, enjoy a festival atmosphere with live music, world-famous BBQ, and buzzing nightlife. Your Grand Prix Tours package includes a fully curated race weekend, highlighted by exclusive access to our private F1 Celebrity Talk Show, where guests gain insider insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives. With demand soaring and this event quickly becoming a modern American racing tradition, now is the time to secure your spot for an unforgettable Austin Grand Prix experience.
SHOW PACKAGES
There are motorsport events, and then there is the Indianapolis 500, the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing." Next year marks Grand Prix Tours' 42nd Indianapolis 500 tour and our decades of experience and local connections provide exclusive access that few fans ever enjoy, including police escorts on race day, a Dallara IndyCar Factory tour, Gasoline Alley and Legends Day, the Driver Introduction Ceremony, and a private dinner with former Indy driver Derek Daly. Combined with excellent hotel accommodations, seamless event planning, and Grand Prix Tours' signature service, this is far more than a race weekend; it's a once-in-a-lifetime motorsport experience. With tour spaces limited each year, we encourage you to reserve your place early for the 111th Indianapolis 500.
SHOW PACKAGES
Experience Formula 1 at its most iconic with an unforgettable trip to the 2027 Grand Prix de Monaco. Feel the excitement as the world’s best drivers race through the legendary streets of Monte Carlo, surrounded by superyachts, Mediterranean views, and the unmistakable glamour of Monaco. From incredible race viewing to carefully selected accommodations, Grand Prix Tours brings you closer to the action at one of the most prestigious and spectacular events in all of motorsport.
SHOW PACKAGES
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance. Watch the world's top manufacturers battle for 24 nonstop hours in one of motorsport's most prestigious events. With Grand Prix Tours handling your accommodations, transfers, and ticket options, all that's left is to experience this unforgettable bucket-list race.
SHOW PACKAGES
Feel the roar of Formula 1 at its spiritual home. Silverstone is one of the fastest and most demanding circuits in the world, where brave overtakes, lightning-fast direction changes, and flat-out commitment separate the best from the rest. Combined with the electric atmosphere created by hundreds of thousands of passionate fans, the British Grand Prix delivers a race weekend unlike any other.
SHOW PACKAGES