Ferrari produced a memorable sporting moment in the Monza paddock when around 150 members of the team spontaneously applauded Pierre Gasly following the Alpine driver’s pole position for the Italian Grand Prix. The Frenchman happened to pass in front of the assembled Scuderia personnel as they posed for a special team photograph, prompting a sincere and warm ovation that clearly caught his attention.
John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna were also present alongside the Ferrari team in front of the motorhome, with everyone wearing the special white uniform created as part of the Scuderia’s tribute to Michael Schumacher. Gasly’s unexpected arrival transformed what was supposed to be a commemorative Ferrari photograph into one of the most sporting paddock moments of the Monza weekend.
Ferrari gathers at Monza for Michael Schumacher tribute
For race day at the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari wore a special uniform as part of its tribute to Michael Schumacher. The white shirt featured the seven stars associated with the German champion on the back and was worn by the approximately 150 people making up Ferrari’s team at Monza.
Ferrari president John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna joined the group, together with Sabine Kehm, Michael Schumacher’s long-time press officer, who was present representing the family of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion.
The uniform was a clear reminder of the Schumacher era and of one of the most extraordinary periods in Ferrari’s Formula 1 history. Meanwhile, the Monza paddock was exceptionally crowded throughout the three days of the Grand Prix, to the point that simply walking through it had become increasingly difficult.
At one stage, movement through the paddock was temporarily stopped so that Ferrari personnel could gather for a commemorative photograph in front of the team’s motorhome.
Pierre Gasly receives spontaneous Ferrari ovation after Monza pole
Immediately after the official photographs had been taken, but before the group dispersed and everyone returned to their duties ahead of the race, an unexpected moment unfolded.
Formula 1 is increasingly regarded as a form of show business as well as a motorsport, yet the sudden and thunderous applause from the Ferrari men and women for Pierre Gasly after his remarkable Monza qualifying performance was an instinctive sporting gesture. Precisely because it was spontaneous and unplanned, it became an especially striking moment.
The Alpine driver, who had secured pole position at Monza, was on his way to a meeting and risked arriving late because he had encountered the temporary paddock blockage caused by Ferrari’s team photograph.
As Pierre Gasly walked through the passage directly in front of the Ferrari personnel, the entire group responded with a warm round of applause. The Frenchman was able to enjoy the brief but intense and completely unexpected recognition from one of his rival teams.
The Ferrari team applauding Pierre ❤️#ScuderiaFans #ForzaFerrari #Ferrari #F1 #Formula1 #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/mX7P9RK8Te
— Scuderia Fans (@ScuderiaFansF1) September 6, 2026
Gasly’s pole had already provided one of the biggest moments of the Italian Grand Prix qualifying session, with the Alpine driver emerging ahead of the leading contenders while Ferrari secured fourth and fifth on the grid. The full Monza qualifying picture made Ferrari’s reaction all the more notable: despite being beaten to pole, the Scuderia’s personnel immediately recognised the achievement.
Ultimately, the sporting spirit of Formula 1 can still emerge whenever the opportunity presents itself. On this occasion, Ferrari’s spontaneous reaction to Pierre Gasly provided a particularly fitting example. Well done, Ferrari.
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