Brignone presents Gasly with the Monza pole-position award: “I’m definitely feeling well after the operation.” And Tomba is coming on Sunday

Two days among the engines at Monza for an Italian Grand Prix that has never been so eagerly awaited, in the year in which the Formula 1 World Championship sees Kimi Antonelli leading the standings and Ferrari, especially with Lewis Hamilton, still in contention for the title.

Federica Brignone arrived in the paddock today for qualifying at the Italian round, presenting the Pirello-branded wheel cover to the day’s pole-sitter, with Pierre Gasly producing the big surprise by putting Alpine ahead of everyone, while on Sunday the Ferraris will start from the second row, behind George Russell, with the championship leader at the back of the grid ready to mount a major comeback.

The La Salle star, tomorrow on the grid at one of the most iconic circuits on the F1 calendar, will also have… Alberto Tomba at her side, as the Castel de’ Britti ace is set to attend at the personal invitation of Antonelli himself, who, like the three-time Olympic champion, is from Bologna. Speaking to Sky Sport after qualifying, Fede discussed her current condition following another operation on her left leg (still covered), before broadening the conversation to an analysis of a weekend she is enjoying as a fan. “I’m recovering; it’s now been ten days since the last operation and I’m definitely feeling very well,” said the gold medallist in the super-G and giant slalom at Milano Cortina 2026. “I’ll be here tomorrow too; I’m curious and it will be a wonderful Grand Prix. I didn’t expect the Alpines to be so fast, but here there’s a chance to overtake.

The Olympics? Crazy and incredible, as well as unimaginable; just being there was already a miracle for me, and not one but two gold medals, at a home Games and after an extremely long career already full of successes… something that can’t be measured.”

Carlo Vanzini, the voice of F1 for the broadcaster that holds the rights in Italy, is a former skier and involved the Italian champion by asking her opinion of Kimi Antonelli: “He’s an incredibly sharp young man. I haven’t yet had the opportunity to meet him and, if there’s a chance tomorrow, I’d like to, but without bothering him.

I know what it means, in a home race and as the number one at that moment, when everyone wants something from you. What I can wish for him is that he enjoys it and has fun, but that’s what he’s doing, because it’s very clear.”