TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has thrown down a unique gauntlet, promising the entire Alpine team a Hawkstone beer if Pierre Gasly wins the Italian Grand Prix. The challenge comes after Gasly stunned the paddock by clinching his maiden pole position at Monza, edging out George Russell's Mercedes by a razor-thin margin.
The historic moment made Gasly the first French driver to start from pole since Jean Alesi in 1997, and Alpine's first pole in 17 years. Now all eyes are on Sunday's race—can Gasly convert pole into victory?
Clarkson's Beer Bet for the Chipping Norton Team
Clarkson, known for Top Gear and The Grand Tour, has given Alpine extra motivation as they hunt their first win since 2021. On X, he wrote: "Right. Pierre Gasly. No pressure but if you translate that pole into a win, the whole team gets a Hawkstone. Go Chipping Norton team."
Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton is close to Alpine's Enstone base in Oxfordshire. The stakes are high, especially as Gasly has fond memories of Monza—his only F1 victory came here in 2020 with AlphaTauri.
A Full-Circle Moment for Gasly
Gasly expressed his delight and pride at securing pole at a circuit that holds special meaning. "It's been nine years I'm in Formula 1, trying to give my best every single weekend, and it's not every time we get a car to fight for pole position. Today it was the case," he said. "I got my first win here in Monza and now I get my first pole position, so definitely a special place to me."
Can Gasly repeat his 2020 magic and force Clarkson to open the beer taps? The Italian Grand Prix will tell.
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