The battle for the 2025 FRECA title intensified under the cold skies of Monza, as Qualifying 1 produced a thrilling fight for pole position. Following a strong showing in Friday’s Collective Tests—where Pedro Clerot went fastest in the first session and Evan Giltaire topped the second—the grid looked finely balanced heading into Saturday’s session. With the championship lead separated by just four points, every lap mattered. Ultimately, ART Grand Prix’s Evan Giltaire emerged on top, claiming overall pole position for Race 1, while Freddie Slater led the way in Group A to stay firmly in contention.
Slater sets the benchmark in Group A
The morning began with low track temperatures and cautious tyre preparation. Drivers spent the first few laps weaving down Monza’s long straights, trying to find precious heat in their tyres. Consequently, the early part of the session saw tentative lap times and a few off-track moments, particularly through the demanding Ascari chicane.
Freddie Slater, however, adapted quickly. The Prema Racing driver built his rhythm lap by lap, first setting a 1:45.745 before lowering it to a commanding 1:44.576 to top Group A. Taito Kato followed in P2, with Rashid Al Dhaheri completing the top three. Slater’s performance demonstrated both patience and control in the tricky conditions.
Reflecting on his session, Slater said: “It was a really positive session. We had two good days of testing, strong in the wet on Thursday and again in the dry yesterday. This morning was very different with the cold temperatures, so we all had to adapt quickly. There were still some damp patches at a few corners, but I focused on building my rhythm lap by lap. Now it’s about doing the job in the races – getting a good start and fighting for the win.”
Giltaire delivers pole-winning lap in Group B
When Group B took to the track, the story began in similar fashion. Drivers spent the first half of the session generating temperature and searching for the ideal slipstream. However, once the field began pushing, it quickly became a battle of precision and timing.
Evan Giltaire led from the front. The French driver set the pace early on with a 1:45.4 before improving to a 1:44.172, securing both Group B and overall pole position. Behind him, Pedro Clerot pushed hard but could not match the ART Grand Prix driver’s consistency, while Matteo De Palo recovered from an off-track moment to finish fourth in his group.
After clinching his second pole of the season, Giltaire expressed his delight: “I’m really happy to take my second pole position of the season, especially here in Monza. We did an amazing job as a team managing the tyres and pressures in such cold conditions, and I was able to put everything together on the final lap. It was tricky to find grip at first, but the key was to warm up the tyres and be ready right at the end. I’m really looking forward to the race. Winning in Monza would be something special.”
Eyes on the race ahead
With Giltaire on pole and Slater starting alongside him, the stage is set for a captivating opening race at Monza. Behind them, Clerot, Kato, and Al Dhaheri will look to capitalise on any early opportunities. Meanwhile, championship rival Matteo De Palo faces an uphill climb from the fourth row.
The stakes could not be higher. As the FRECA season edges toward its finale, every start, every overtake, and every slipstream will count. Both Giltaire and Slater enter Race 1 full of confidence, and both have their eyes fixed on one goal — victory at the Temple of Speed.
