Clarkson promises Alpine beer if Gasly wins Monza

Jeremy Clarkson has promised Alpine's entire F1 team a Hawkstone beer if Pierre Gasly wins the Italian Grand Prix. The Clarkson's Farm presenter, whose farm sits near Alpine's Enstone base, made the pledge on X after Gasly secured a shock maiden pole at Monza.

"No pressure, but if you translate that pole into a win, the whole team gets a Hawkstone," he wrote.

Why it matters:

Gasly's pole is a shock in a Mercedes-dominated season and gives Alpine a rare shot at victory. Monza holds special meaning for the Frenchman, who won here in 2020 with AlphaTauri. A win would be career-defining for Gasly and a massive boost for Enstone.

The details:

• Clarkson has form: in 2023 he promised the team a pint if Esteban Ocon poded at Monaco. Ocon finished third, and Clarkson delivered 1,000 bottles to Enstone on his Lamborghini tractor.
• Gasly, emotional after qualifying, said he's been in F1 for nine years and is "extremely happy" to seize the chance. "It was a heck of a lap," he added.
• This is Gasly's first F1 pole, and he'll face pressure leading the field at one of F1's fastest tracks.

What's next:

Sunday's race will show if Alpine can convert pole into a result. Mercedes will fight back, so Gasly needs a clean start and perfect strategy. If he wins, Clarkson owes the team a lot of beer — and he's proven he's good for his word.