Italian Grand Prix: Alpine's Pierre Gasly takes thrilling first career pole, Ferrari off the pace - ESPN

Pierre Gasly delivered the shock of the season by taking the first pole position of his career for Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.

Gasly's improbable triumph arrived a day on from his Alpine boss Flavio Briatore accusing an FIA judge of having a «working relationship» with McLaren after the British team's appeal saw the Frenchman stripped of his podium from June's Monaco Grand Prix.

George Russell, widely expected to claim a much-needed pole in his world championship quest, had to settle for second, pipped to top spot by Gasly by just 0.060 seconds.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri finished third, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton fourth and fifth respectively for Ferrari.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took seventh but will start his home race from the back of the grid as he serves an engine penalty.

World champion Lando Norris arrived in Italy with consecutive victories under his belt but looks almost certain to miss out on a hat-trick after he could manage only ninth.

With Antonelli starting Sunday's 53-lap race from the rear, Russell knew this event would hand him a golden chance to eat into his Mercedes teammate's 59-point championship lead.

But the Englishman will have to see off Gasly's unexpected challenge to claim a full quota of points in what could prove a pivotal contest in the title race with 11 rounds, including Sunday's fixture, still to go.

Hamilton spoke about his dream of winning in Monza for a record sixth time and a first for Ferrari in the build-up to the Italian team's home event.

But the seven-time world champion endured a difficult afternoon for Ferrari in their own backyard.

— Italian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen clash at Monza as George Russell sets pace
— Flavio Briatore takes