Why is P1 on the grid called pole position?
Pole position is where every driver wants to be at the start of a race. The term originates from late 19th-century horse racing, where the fastest-qualifying horse would be placed closest to the inside rail of the course, near the pole marking the start line. Motor racing adopted this phrase in the 1950s, even though there are no physical poles on the grid.
Typically, pole position is earned by the driver with the best qualifying time, though penalties can sometimes move this honor to the second fastest driver. The top qualifier is also known as the pole-sitter.
If the fastest qualifying driver receives a penalty before the final grid is published, they are not considered the official pole-sitter until the provisional starting grid is released. This release must occur at least 4 hours before the formation lap. If teams discover issues with their cars, they have 1.5 hours to inform the stewards, who can then adjust the grid. The final starting grid is published no less than 2 hours before the formation lap, and the driver listed first on this document is awarded pole position.
For example, Charles Leclerc earned pole position in Monaco in 2021 but didn’t start the race due to a car issue discovered too late to change the grid order. Despite not starting the race, he was still credited as the pole-sitter.
In essence, pole position refers to being the first on the official starting grid, which typically means being the fastest in qualifying, but it doesn't guarantee starting the race first if there are grid penalties or other adjustments.
Alfa Romeo’s Giuseppe "Nino" Farina was the first-ever pole-sitter in a Formula 1 World Championship race, the 1950 British Grand Prix.
