Theo Pourchaire will start the first FIA Formula 3 race of the Italian Grand Prix weekend on pole position at Monza.
The Frenchman was able snatch the top spot in the last couple of minutes by over four tenths of a second with the field fighting for track position to get a tow down the straights.
Lirim Zendeli was second ahead of Alex Smolyar, Liam Lawson, David Beckmann and Frederik Vesti.
Matteo Nannini impressed at his home round with seventh on the grid ahead of Jake Hughes, who could have been on pole had it not been for the congested traffic from the Ascari chicane all the way to the Parabolica.
Calan Williams and championship-leader Logan Sargeant made up the top ten. Oscar Piastri, who is also contending for the title, ended up 12th fastest.
The stewards are however investigating the incident involving multiple drivers who were preparing for flying laps impeding who were on them.
A decision for the grid expected to be made later this evening before the first race on Saturday morning at 09:25 BST.