Portugal Colonial - Gasly a 'class act' says Alpine boss after Monza pole

"We didn't expect to be on pole position," Nielsen said. "But, we are. Tomorrow? Good starts, good strategy, good pit stops – who knows? Let's try to win it."

Gasly's maiden pole was the first by a Frenchman since Jean Alesi claimed the prime starting position for Benetton, the Enstone-based forerunners of Alpine, at the 1997 Italian Grand Prix.

The team last claimed a pole when running as Renault with Fernando Alonso at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix.

"Pierre is a class act," said Nielsen. "If you give him the machine, he will deliver. We failed to do that a few times last year.

"We haven't always given him the most competitive machinery this year, but when we have, he has delivered, particularly earlier in the season.

"To see the team bounce back and to see him deliver on this track he knows well – because he lives locally, in Milan – was wonderful.

Alpine's second driver, Franco Colapinto, qualified eighth.

"We mustn't forget Franco," said Nielsen "He's done a great job today. I really feel we have given them a good car and who knows?

"Anything is possible tomorrow."

Both Nielsen and Gasly admitted the team had been crestfallen when notified of the decision by the International Court of Appeal, announced on Friday, to uphold the appeals by Red Bull and McLaren against the outcome of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The ruling dropped Gasly from third to seventh and provoked a war of words between Alpine team boss Flavio Briatore and McLaren's Andrea Stella.

"Right now, I am so happy," said Nielsen. "But if you asked me two or three days ago, we were on the floor. It is really like being right down to being on top of the world in just two days.

"It is amazing. We need to soak it up and to make the best of it."

Gasly gained his only Formula One victory at Monza in 2020.

"I don't know what is going on with this place, with Monza," he said. "I got my first win here. So obviously it always holds a special place in my heart, but coming here this morning, we were aiming to get to Q3."

"So, now, after I managed to squeeze everything I could out of that last lap, I am extremely pleased. I am so grateful to the whole team and for the car I had today."

L.Carrico--PC