Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most career pole positions with 104. Formula One Related articles
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Formula One , abbreviated to F1, is the highest class of open-wheeled auto racing defined by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), motorsport's world governing body.[1] The "formula" in the name refers to a set of rules to which all participants and cars must conform.[2] The F1 World Championship season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix , held usually on purpose-built circuits , and in a few cases on closed city streets .[3] The polesitter is the driver that has qualified for a Grand Prix in pole position , at the front of the starting grid.[4] Out of the 1,112 completed Grands Prix (as of the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix ), the driver that has started in first has gone on to win the race 476 times.[5]
Qualifying is traditionally contested on the Saturday (Friday for some events) of a Grand Prix weekend to determine the drivers' positions on the starting grid of the race held on the Sunday (although from 2021 to 2023 , in a small number of the events, so-called sprint races are held on the Saturdays, in which case the qualifying session is held on the Fridays of those Grand Prix weekends. In 2021 the winner of the sprint was credited with pole position. In 2022 the pole-sitter of the sprint race was officially awarded the pole position in those events. From 2023 a separate qualifying session is held for sprints, named sprint shootout. The fastest qualifier in sprint shootouts is not generally credited with a pole position). Historically, there have been a number of different qualifying systems; previously, each driver was only allowed a single lap to set his qualifying time.[6] Drivers currently have to compete in three rounds before pole position is determined. The first round, known as Q1, is contested by twenty drivers in an 18-minute session, at the end of which the five slowest cars are eliminated. This is followed by Q2, a 15-minute session, where the slowest five are again eliminated. The remaining ten cars contest Q3, the final 12-minute session, to determine their places on the grid and who will sit on pole position.[7]
Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most pole positions,[8] having qualified first on 104 occasions.[9] Michael Schumacher is second with 68 pole positions.[10] Ayrton Senna is third with 65 poles. Senna and Max Verstappen jointly hold the record for most consecutive pole positions ; Senna qualified in first place in eight Grands Prix in a row from the 1988 Spanish Grand Prix to the 1989 United States Grand Prix , with Verstappen's record streak lasting from the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix .[11] [12] Sebastian Vettel is the youngest polesitter; he was 21 years, 72 days old when he qualified in first place for the 2008 Italian Grand Prix .[13] The oldest person to qualify in pole position was Nino Farina , who was 47 years, 79 days old when he was polesitter for the 1954 Argentine Grand Prix .[14] As of the 2024 Austrian Grand Prix , 106 drivers have been on pole position in the 1,112 Grands Prix since the first World Championship race , the 1950 British Grand Prix , with the most recent driver to achieve their first pole position being Kevin Magnussen at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix .[9] [15] [16] Since 2014, the driver with the most pole positions in a season has been awarded the Pole Trophy .[17] The inaugural Pole Trophy was won by Nico Rosberg ,[18] while Max Verstappen is the most recent recipient of the award with 12 poles in 2023.
By driver Formula One polesitters[19] Rank Driver Nationality Poles Entries Seasons active First pole Last pole 1 Lewis Hamilton † United Kingdom 104 343 2007 – 2007 Canadian Grand Prix 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix 2 Michael Schumacher ‡ Germany 68 308 1991 –2006 , 2010 –2012 1994 Monaco Grand Prix 2006 French Grand Prix 3 Ayrton Senna ‡ Brazil 65 162 1984 –1994 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix 1994 San Marino Grand Prix 4 Sebastian Vettel ‡ Germany 57 300 2007 –2022 2008 Italian Grand Prix 2019 Japanese Grand Prix 5 Max Verstappen † Netherlands 40 196 2015 – 2019 Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 Austrian Grand Prix 6 Jim Clark ‡ United Kingdom 33 73 1960 –1968 1962 Monaco Grand Prix 1968 South African Grand Prix Alain Prost ‡ France 33 202 1980 –1991 , 1993 1981 German Grand Prix 1993 Japanese Grand Prix 8 Nigel Mansell ‡ United Kingdom 32 191 1980 –1992 , 1994 –1995 1984 Dallas Grand Prix 1994 Australian Grand Prix 9 Nico Rosberg ‡ Germany 30 206 2006 –2016 2012 Chinese Grand Prix 2016 Japanese Grand Prix 10 Juan Manuel Fangio ‡ Argentina 29 52 1950 –1951 , 1953 –1958 1950 Monaco Grand Prix 1958 Argentine Grand Prix 11 Mika Häkkinen ‡ Finland 26 165 1991 –2001 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix 2000 Belgian Grand Prix 12 Niki Lauda ‡ Austria 24 177 1971 –1979 , 1982 –1985 1974 South African Grand Prix 1978 South African Grand Prix Nelson Piquet ‡ Brazil 24 207 1978 –1991 1980 United States Grand Prix West 1987 Spanish Grand Prix Charles Leclerc * Monaco 24 136 2018 – 2019 Bahrain Grand Prix 2024 Monaco Grand Prix 15 Fernando Alonso † Spain 22 391 2001 , 2003 –2018 , 2021 – 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix 2012 German Grand Prix 16 Damon Hill ‡ United Kingdom 20 122 1992 –1999 1993 French Grand Prix 1996 Portuguese Grand Prix Valtteri Bottas * Finland 20 234 2013 – 2017 Bahrain Grand Prix 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix 18 Mario Andretti ‡ United States 18 131 1968 –1972 , 1974 –1982 1968 United States Grand Prix 1982 Italian Grand Prix René Arnoux France 18 165 1978 –1989 1979 Austrian Grand Prix 1983 British Grand Prix Kimi Räikkönen ‡ Finland 18 353 2001 –2009 , 2012 –2021 2003 European Grand Prix 2018 Italian Grand Prix 21 Jackie Stewart ‡ United Kingdom 17 100 1965 –1973 1969 Monaco Grand Prix 1973 German Grand Prix 22 Stirling Moss United Kingdom 16 67 1951 –1961 1955 British Grand Prix 1961 Monaco Grand Prix Felipe Massa Brazil 16 272 2002 , 2004 –2017 2006 Turkish Grand Prix 2014 Austrian Grand Prix 24 Alberto Ascari ‡ Italy 14 33 1950 –1955 1951 German Grand Prix 1954 Spanish Grand Prix James Hunt ‡ United Kingdom 14 93 1973 –1979 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix 1977 United States Grand Prix Ronnie Peterson Sweden 14 123 1970 –1978 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix 1978 Austrian Grand Prix Rubens Barrichello Brazil 14 326 1993 –2011 1994 Belgian Grand Prix 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix 28 Graham Hill ‡ United Kingdom 13 179 1958 –1975 1962 Belgian Grand Prix 1968 British Grand Prix Jack Brabham ‡ Australia 13 128 1955 –1970 1959 British Grand Prix 1970 Spanish Grand Prix Jacky Ickx Belgium 13 122 1967 –1979 1968 German Grand Prix 1972 Italian Grand Prix Jacques Villeneuve ‡ Canada 13 165 1996 –2006 1996 Australian Grand Prix 1997 European Grand Prix Juan Pablo Montoya Colombia 13 95 2001 –2006 2001 German Grand Prix 2005 Belgian Grand Prix Mark Webber Australia 13 217 2002 –2013 2009 German Grand Prix 2013 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 34 Gerhard Berger Austria 12 210 1984 –1997 1987 Portuguese Grand Prix 1997 German Grand Prix David Coulthard United Kingdom 12 247 1994 –2008 1995 Argentine Grand Prix 2001 Monaco Grand Prix 36 Jochen Rindt ‡ Austria 10 62 1964 –1970 1968 French Grand Prix 1970 Austrian Grand Prix 37 John Surtees ‡ United Kingdom 8 113 1960 –1972 1960 Portuguese Grand Prix 1968 Italian Grand Prix Riccardo Patrese Italy 8 257 1977 –1993 1981 United States Grand Prix West 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix Jenson Button ‡ United Kingdom 8 309 2000 –2017 2004 San Marino Grand Prix 2012 Belgian Grand Prix 40 Jacques Laffite France 7 180 1974 –1986 1976 Italian Grand Prix 1981 Spanish Grand Prix 41 Phil Hill ‡ United States 6 51 1958 –1964 , 1966 1960 Italian Grand Prix 1961 German Grand Prix Emerson Fittipaldi ‡ Brazil 6 149 1970 –1980 1972 Monaco Grand Prix 1974 Canadian Grand Prix Jean-Pierre Jabouille France 6 55 1974 –1975 , 1977 –1981 1979 South African Grand Prix 1980 South African Grand Prix Alan Jones ‡ Australia 6 117 1975 –1981 , 1983 , 1985 –1986 1979 British Grand Prix 1980 German Grand Prix Carlos Reutemann Argentina 6 146 1972 –1982 1972 Argentine Grand Prix 1981 Caesars Palace Grand Prix Ralf Schumacher Germany 6 182 1997 –2007 2001 French Grand Prix 2005 Japanese Grand Prix 47 Nino Farina ‡ Italy 5 36 1950 –1955 1950 British Grand Prix 1954 Argentine Grand Prix Chris Amon New Zealand 5 108 1963 –1976 1968 Spanish Grand Prix 1972 French Grand Prix Clay Regazzoni Switzerland 5 139 1970 –1980 1970 Mexican Grand Prix 1976 United States Grand Prix West Patrick Tambay France 5 123 1977 –1979 , 1981 –1986 1983 United States Grand Prix West 1984 French Grand Prix Keke Rosberg ‡ Finland 5 128 1978 –1986 1982 British Grand Prix 1986 German Grand Prix Carlos Sainz Jr. * Spain 5 196 2015 – 2022 British Grand Prix 2023 Singapore Grand Prix 53 Mike Hawthorn ‡ United Kingdom 4 47 1952 –1958 1958 Belgian Grand Prix 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix Didier Pironi France 4 72 1978 –1982 1980 Monaco Grand Prix 1982 German Grand Prix Jarno Trulli Italy 4 256 1997 –2011 2004 Monaco Grand Prix 2009 Bahrain Grand Prix Giancarlo Fisichella Italy 4 231 1996 –2009 1998 Austrian Grand Prix 2009 Belgian Grand Prix 57 José Froilán González Argentina 3 26 1950 –1957 , 1960 1951 British Grand Prix 1955 Argentine Grand Prix Tony Brooks United Kingdom 3 39 1956 –1961 1958 Monaco Grand Prix 1959 German Grand Prix Dan Gurney United States 3 87 1959 –1968 , 1970 1962 German Grand Prix 1964 Belgian Grand Prix Jean-Pierre Jarier France 3 143 1971 , 1973 –1983 1975 Argentine Grand Prix 1978 Canadian Grand Prix Jody Scheckter ‡ South Africa 3 113 1972 –1980 1976 Swedish Grand Prix 1979 Monaco Grand Prix Elio de Angelis Italy 3 109 1979 –1986 1983 European Grand Prix 1985 Canadian Grand Prix Teo Fabi Italy 3 71 1982 , 1984 –1987 1985 German Grand Prix 1986 Italian Grand Prix Daniel Ricciardo * Australia 3 251 2011 – 2016 Monaco Grand Prix 2018 Mexican Grand Prix Sergio Pérez * Mexico 3 272 2011 – 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023 Miami Grand Prix 66 Stuart Lewis-Evans United Kingdom 2 14 1957 –1958 1957 Italian Grand Prix 1958 Dutch Grand Prix Jo Siffert Switzerland 2 100 1962 –1971 1968 Mexican Grand Prix 1971 Austrian Grand Prix John Watson United Kingdom 2 154 1973 –1983 , 1985 1977 Monaco Grand Prix 1978 French Grand Prix Gilles Villeneuve Canada 2 68 1977 –1982 1979 United States Grand Prix West 1981 San Marino Grand Prix Michele Alboreto Italy 2 215 1981 –1994 1984 Belgian Grand Prix 1985 Brazilian Grand Prix Jean Alesi France 2 202 1989 –2001 1994 Italian Grand Prix 1997 Italian Grand Prix Heinz-Harald Frentzen Germany 2 160 1994 –2003 1997 Monaco Grand Prix 1999 European Grand Prix George Russell * United Kingdom 2 115 2019 – 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 Canadian Grand Prix Lando Norris * United Kingdom 2 115 2019 – 2021 Russian Grand Prix 2024 Spanish Grand Prix 75 Walt Faulkner United States 1 6 1950 –1951 , 1953 –1955 1950 Indianapolis 500 1950 Indianapolis 500 Duke Nalon United States 1 5 1951 –1953 1951 Indianapolis 500 1951 Indianapolis 500 Fred Agabashian United States 1 9 1950 –1957 1952 Indianapolis 500 1952 Indianapolis 500 Bill Vukovich United States 1 6 1951 –1955 1953 Indianapolis 500 1953 Indianapolis 500 Jack McGrath United States 1 6 1950 –1955 1954 Indianapolis 500 1954 Indianapolis 500 Jerry Hoyt United States 1 5 1950 , 1953 –1955 1955 Indianapolis 500 1955 Indianapolis 500 Eugenio Castellotti Italy 1 14 1955 –1957 1955 Belgian Grand Prix 1955 Belgian Grand Prix Pat Flaherty United States 1 6 1950 , 1953 –1956 , 1959 1956 Indianapolis 500 1956 Indianapolis 500 Pat O'Connor United States 1 6 1954 –1958 1957 Indianapolis 500 1957 Indianapolis 500 Dick Rathmann United States 1 6 1950 , 1956 –1960 1958 Indianapolis 500 1958 Indianapolis 500 Johnny Thomson United States 1 8 1953 –1960 1959 Indianapolis 500 1959 Indianapolis 500 Jo Bonnier Sweden 1 108 1956 –1971 1959 Dutch Grand Prix 1959 Dutch Grand Prix Eddie Sachs United States 1 7 1957 –1960 1960 Indianapolis 500 1960 Indianapolis 500 Wolfgang von Trips Germany 1 29 1956 –1961 1961 Italian Grand Prix 1961 Italian Grand Prix Lorenzo Bandini Italy 1 42 1961 –1967 1966 French Grand Prix 1966 French Grand Prix Mike Parkes United Kingdom 1 7 1959 , 1966 –1967 1966 Italian Grand Prix 1966 Italian Grand Prix Peter Revson United States 1 32 1964 , 1971 –1974 1972 Canadian Grand Prix 1972 Canadian Grand Prix Denny Hulme ‡ New Zealand 1 112 1965 –1974 1973 South African Grand Prix 1973 South African Grand Prix Patrick Depailler France 1 95 1972 , 1974 –1980 1974 Swedish Grand Prix 1974 Swedish Grand Prix José Carlos Pace Brazil 1 73 1972 –1977 1975 South African Grand Prix 1975 South African Grand Prix Vittorio Brambilla Italy 1 79 1974 –1980 1975 Swedish Grand Prix 1975 Swedish Grand Prix Tom Pryce United Kingdom 1 42 1974 –1977 1975 British Grand Prix 1975 British Grand Prix Bruno Giacomelli Italy 1 82 1977 –1983 , 1990 1980 United States Grand Prix 1980 United States Grand Prix Andrea de Cesaris Italy 1 214 1980 –1994 1982 United States Grand Prix West 1982 United States Grand Prix West Thierry Boutsen Belgium 1 164 1983 –1993 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix 1990 Hungarian Grand Prix Nick Heidfeld Germany 1 185 2000 –2011 2005 European Grand Prix 2005 European Grand Prix Robert Kubica Poland 1 99 2006 –2010 , 2019 , 2021 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix Heikki Kovalainen Finland 1 112 2007 –2013 2008 British Grand Prix 2008 British Grand Prix Nico Hülkenberg * Germany 1 217 2010 , 2012 –2020 , 2022 – 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix Pastor Maldonado Venezuela 1 96 2011 –2015 2012 Spanish Grand Prix 2012 Spanish Grand Prix Lance Stroll * Canada 1 156 2017 – 2020 Turkish Grand Prix 2020 Turkish Grand Prix Kevin Magnussen * Denmark 1 175 2014 –2020 , 2022 – 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix
Progression of the record for most Formula One pole positions Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton holds the record for most pole positions , and for the most wins from pole . Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher achieved 68 pole positions, 10 with Benetton and 58 with Ferrari . Ayrton Senna was known for consistently high qualifying performance. Sebastian Vettel achieved 44 of his pole position tally with Red Bull Racing , for whom he also won four consecutive titles. Jim Clark held the record for most F1 pole positions for 22 years (1967–1989). Juan Manuel Fangio is a five-time world champion, and holds the record for the highest percentage of pole positions (qualified on pole in 56% of races entered). Lewis Hamilton raises Ayrton Senna's helmet, offered by the latter's family on matching the Brazilian driver's record tally of pole positions at the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix . Kevin Magnussen is the 106th and latest first-time polesitter, having secured pole position at the 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix . By nationality Most pole positions per season * Season still in progress.
See also References ^ "About FIA". Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020 . ^ Williamson, Martin. "A brief history of Formula One". ESPN . Archived from the original on 6 April 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2020 . ^ Hughes & Tremayne 2002 , pp. 82–83 ^ "Glossary". Formula1.com . Archived from the original on 21 September 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020 . ^ "Wins by grid position". StatsF1 . Retrieved 30 June 2024 . ^ "Deciding the grid – A history of F1 qualifying formats". Formula1.com . 17 March 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020 . ^ "Practice and qualifying". Formula1.com . Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2020 . ^ Baldwin, Alan (4 March 2020). "Factbox: Some of the records in Lewis Hamilton's sights". Reuters . Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020 . ^ a b "Pole positions – By number". StatsF1 . Archived from the original on 14 June 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2024 . ^ "Lewis Hamilton's sixth F1 world title: the stats". BBC Sport. 3 November 2019. Archived from the original on 5 November 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2020 . ^ Lynch, Steven (22 June 2012). "The winning formula – Ask Steven". ESPN. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2012 . ^ "Statistics Drivers - Pole positions - Consecutively". www.statsf1.com . Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2024 . ^ " 'There are a lot of emotions' – Leclerc delighted with maiden F1 pole". Formula1.com . 30 March 2019. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020 . ^ Lynch, Steven (29 March 2013). "Team treachery – Ask Steven". ESPN. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2015 . ^ "British GP is secure: Ecclestone". BBC Sport. 20 June 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2010 . ^ "Pole positions – Chronology". StatsF1 . Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2024 . ^ "FIA introduce penalty points system and pole position trophy for F1 in 2014". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. 14 December 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 18 April 2020 . ^ Benson, Andrew (8 November 2014). "Nico Rosberg snatches pole from Lewis Hamilton in Brazilian GP". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2020 . ^ a b Diepraam, Mattijs (1 December 2019). "Pole positions in World Championship events". 6th Gear . Forix. Archived from the original on 7 July 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2019 . ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay "Pole Positions In a Year". StatsF1 . Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020 . ^ "Leclerc clinches 2019 pole position prize – despite being fourth fastest". Formula1.com . 16 November 2019. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020 . ^ "Pole positions 2019". StatsF1 . Archived from the original on 12 July 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020 . ^ "Pole positions 2024". www.statsf1.com . Retrieved 22 June 2024 . Bibliography Hughes, Mark; Tremayne, David (2002). The Concise Encyclopedia of Formula 1 . Parragon. ISBN 0-75258-766-8 . External links