Pole position
Pole position is first place on the starting grid, awarded to the driver who sets the fastest time in qualifying.
Also called pole
The term predates motor racing — it comes from horse racing, where the inside position at the start was marked by a pole. In Formula 1 it is decided in Q3, the final part of qualifying, contested by the ten quickest cars.
Its value varies enormously by circuit. At Monaco, where overtaking is close to impossible, pole is worth most of the race. At Monza or Baku, with long straights and slipstreaming, starting second can be the better place to be.
Most poles in Formula 1
From every championship race in our results, back to 1950.
Related terms