Gasly ‘struggling to realise’ “unbelievable” first F1 win

Pierre Gasly says he is struggling to come to terms with his “unbelievable” shock maiden Formula 1 victory during a topsy-turvy Italian Grand Prix.

Starting 10th, Gasly rose up the order and lined up third on the grid after a red flag period caused by Charles Leclerc’s massive crash at the Parabolica.

The Frenchman capitalised on a poor restart from Lance Stroll to move into second place, which became first when Lewis Hamilton served a stop/go penalty for pitting when the pit lane entry was closed during a Safety Car period for Kevin Magnussen’s parked Haas.

Gasly resisted late pressure from McLaren’s Carlos Sainz to hold seal his first F1 win by less than half a second.

“It’s unbelievable,” Gasly said. “I’m not realising what’s happening right now.

“It was such a crazy race. We capitalised on the red flag. The car was fast out there, we had a pretty fast car behind us.

“I’ve been through so much in the space of 18 months. My first podium in Formula 1 last year, I was already feeling “wow”, with AlphaTauri, and now my first win in Formula 1 in Monza, I’m struggling to realise [it].”

It marked a second F1 victory for AlphaTauri and its first since the 2008 Italian Grand Prix – also at Monza – and Gasly paid tribute to his team.

“I have no words,” Gasly said. “This team has done so much for me, they gave me my first opportunity in Formula 1, they gave me my first podium. Now they are giving me my first win, it’s just crazy.

“I’m so happy. I can’t thank them enough, everybody from AlphaTauri to Honda. This is a power sensitive track and we won the race in front of all the Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault cars. It’s just an amazing day.”

Gasly has become the frist French driver to win a race since Oliver Panis won the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix.

"I've always said coming in F1 that's one thing we need to change, because it's been so long,” Gasly explained.

"I never expected that it would happen to us with AlphaTauri. We just kept focusing on ourselves since last year, working improving step by step.

"It's crazy, honestly. I'm just so happy."