If you are new to F1, you may find it hard to understand the term ‘pole position’ at the first go. So, before we jump into the list of best f1 pole position, let’s take a deep dive into the whole terminology around it.
A pole position in F1 is referred to as the driver taking the top position in the starting grid of an F1 Grand Prix event. So, while you are witnessing an F1 race, the driver at the first position on the grid is called the one with the pole position.
This position is assigned to the drivers topping the timesheets in quarter 3 of the qualifying session during that particular Grand Prix event. Usually, the qualifying session is conducted a day prior to the race day.
Speaking of the best f1 pole sitters of all time, the list includes some of the most legendary names in the history of the sport.
List of F1 driver with most pole positions
#10. Mika Hakkinen (Finland )
While featuring in 165 events during his career, this Finnish F1 driver has secured 26 pole positions during his decade long career. He drove for some recognized teams like Lotus and Mclaren on his way to achieve the same feat.
He achieved his first pole position during the 1997 Luxembourg grand Prix with the last one coming at the 2000 Belgian Grand Prix.
#9. Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina )
Fangio comes over as one of the legendary names in this sport and he also stands at no. 9 spot in our list of best f1 pole positions. Even though his career didn’t last for long due to a string of injuries, he still went on to achieve some notable success during his F1 journey.
While ensuring his presence in 53 Grand Prix events, Fangio grabbed 29 pole positions to his name. Moreover, the impressive overall percentage of his pole positions( 58%) speaks volumes about his stature in the sport during the 50s.
#8. Nico Rosberg ( Germany)
Nico drove for teams like Williams and Mercedes during his 10 years long F1 career. Moreover, out of the 206 Grand Prix events in his career, he ensured taking pole positions in 30 of them. The first pole position came at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix while the last one was achieved in the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix.
#7. Nigel Mansell ( United Kingdom)
This English F1 driver was quite phenomenal during the initial stages of his F1 career and went on to bring some notable achievements to his name during the process. Now, that was the reason why he secured 32 pole positions out of the 191 Grand Prix events he participated in.
Moreover, he is the only F1 driver to date to win both the F1 Grand Prix event and The CART indy car world series.
#6. Alain Prost ( French)
Now here we have the first and only French F1 driver in our list that consists of some big names with Top f1 pole position by now. Until 2001, Prost held the record of most F1 Grand Prix wins to his name.
He featured in 202 GP events during his career with teams like McLaren, Renault, Ferrari, Williams and went on to secure 33 pole positions to his name.
Jim Clark comes over as one of the other prolific British F1 drivers from Scotland, who secured two World Championships to his name during his 8 years with the sport. He was known as a versatile driver, who also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1965. 5. Jim Clark ( United Kingdom)
He ensured 33 pole positions in the 73 grand Prix events while featuring for Team Lotus.
#4. Sebastian Vettel (Germany)
Sebastian Vettel is one of the only two F1 drivers in our list who are still featuring their respective F1 teams. Being a four-time world formula one world champion, this German f1 driver has featured for teams like Red Bull and Ferrari over the past 13 years of his presence on the f1 circuit.
Speaking of his pole positions, he has secured 57 pole positions out of 253 Grand Prix events he participated in up until now.
#3. Ayrton Senna ( Brazil)
Highly regarded as one of the best F1 drivers in the history of this sport, Ayrton Senna secured some big achievements to his name in his 10 years with F1. Unfortunately, this legendary f1 driver succumbed to a car crash during a GP event in 1994.
Still, he went on to secure 65 pole positions out of the total 162 Grand Prix events while driving for teams like Toleman, Lotus, McLaren, and Williams.
#2. Michael Schumacher (Germany)
No matter what, if your follow F1 or not, there’s no way you aren’t aware of this legendary F1 driver. For over 15 years of his presence on the f1 circuit, he has been widely regarded as the ‘ Face of the Formula 1 sport’ by many.
Speaking of his pole positions list, this German f1 driver achieved 68 pole positions in 308 Grand Prix events he participated in.
#1. Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom)
Hamilton has recently broken the record held by Michael Schumacher for most Grand Prix wins. And yes, he also holds the top position in our list featuring the best f1 pole sitters of all time. While featuring in 262 Grand Prix until now, he has ensured a record 97 pole positions to his name.
So, by every means, we can expect him to bring some more records and achievements to his name in the coming times.
Final words
More than 40% of the victories registered in the F1 history have come out of the drivers at the pole positions. So, we can say that holding the pole position gives a certain edge to the driver over the rest of the participants.
As Lewis Hamilton is going great guns with his f1 career, we cannot see any other f1 driver in the coming future to bypass his current record of pole positions.
