Thirteen out of the 20 drivers preparing on the Formula 1 grid in 2024 have achieved pole position in an F1 grand prix.
Lewis Hamilton leads the tally for the most pole positions by an individual driver in F1 history, boasting nearly as many poles as the combined total of the other 12 drivers on this list!
Here, we outline the number of pole positions each 2024 F1 driver holds and their standings on F1's all-time list.
In 2021, the pole position for three of that year's grands prix was granted to the winner of the Saturday sprint race, deviating from the usual practice of awarding it to the fastest driver in the Friday qualifying session. Our figures account for this deviation.
Under the conventional system, Hamilton would acquire two pole positions, Max Verstappen would lose two, while Valtteri Bottas would gain one (for being the fastest in Italy's qualifying before facing a grid penalty) but also lose one (to Hamilton in Brazil).
Lewis Hamilton - 104 Poles
#1 all-time
Lewis Hamilton surpassed Michael Schumacher's enduring pole position record at the 2017 Italian Grand Prix, securing his 69th F1 pole. Since then, he has amassed 35 more, solidifying his standing as F1's most prolific qualifier by a considerable margin.
Mercedes' dominance during F1's hybrid-engine era significantly contributed to Hamilton's success, with 71 of his poles achieved between 2014 and 2021. He secured only one more pole after that phase, triumphing at the 2023 Hungarian GP by a mere 0.003 seconds over Verstappen.
Max Verstappen - 32 Poles
#8 all-time
Verstappen equaled 1992 world champion Nigel Mansell's tally, clinching his 32nd pole position at the 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Despite deliberate design focuses by Adrian Newey's technical team on Red Bull's ground-effect cars for improved race performance over qualifying, Verstappen claimed 19 of his poles across the last two seasons, with 12 in 2023 alone.
He's only two poles away from matching Alain Prost and Jim Clark's standings on F1's all-time list, a likely feat early in 2024. However, to reach four-time champion Sebastian Vettel's count, Verstappen still needs another 25 poles.
Charles Leclerc - 23 Poles
#14 all-time
Charles Leclerc holds more pole positions than any F1 driver without a world championship. His most recent pole came at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, showcasing his reputation as one of F1's fastest over a single lap. Despite criticism in some online circles labeling him a 'choker' due to his limited five race victories, Leclerc's qualifying brilliance shines through, often hindered by Ferrari's underwhelming cars rather than his race-day mentality.
Fernando Alonso - 22 Poles
#15 all-time
While not heralded as a qualifying specialist, Fernando Alonso's championship-winning F1 seasons (2005-06) saw him secure a maximum of six poles each. His last pole position dates back to the 2012 German Grand Prix for Ferrari. Despite competing in over half of his career's grands prix without setting a pole, Alonso, even at 42 years old, remains capable of adding to his tally if Aston Martin's F1 car proves competitive in 2024.
Valtteri Bottas - 20 Poles
#17 all-time
Valtteri Bottas clinched all his pole positions during his five-year tenure with Mercedes (2017-2021). His last pole was in Mexico in 2021, and since moving to the lower-midfield Stake team (formerly Alfa Romeo/Sauber), his chances of adding to that tally seem slim. Despite once being praised by Hamilton for his one-lap prowess, Bottas fell short, securing nine fewer poles than Hamilton's former teammate Nico Rosberg.
Carlos Sainz - 5 Poles
#52 all-time
Sainz faces the challenge of being Leclerc's teammate, often seeing Leclerc take pole when the Ferrari is fast enough. However, Sainz's close proximity to Leclerc's skill level allows him to capitalize when Leclerc faces difficulties, as seen in his recent poles in Singapore and Italy 2023, where tight battles saw the top three drivers separated by less than a tenth of a second.
Daniel Ricciardo - 3 Poles
#64 all-time
Daniel Ricciardo hasn't claimed a pole position since departing from Red Bull at the end of 2018. His peak in F1 coincided with Red Bull's least successful period in the hybrid era, not truly reflecting his talent and speed during that phase. Ricciardo's smooth driving style, coupled with a penchant for committing to entry speed, makes him devastatingly quick given a stable and rear-stable car setup.
Sergio Perez - 3 Poles
#65 all-time
Sergio Perez secured all three of his poles in 2022 and 2023, benefiting from Red Bull's top-performing cars. While two of his poles in 2023 involved circumstances where Verstappen faced setbacks, Perez's maiden pole in Saudi Arabia 2022 emerged as a genuine triumph, outshining Verstappen and the Ferrari drivers in a closely contested battle.
Nico Hulkenberg - 1 Pole
#101 all-time
Nico Hulkenberg's sole pole position occurred during his 2010 rookie season with Williams. Highly regarded in junior categories, he outpaced veteran Rubens Barrichello by the season's latter part, securing pole at Interlagos under mixed conditions, showcasing his exceptional talent.
Lance Stroll - 1 Pole
#103 all-time
Lance Stroll claimed his only pole position during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season at the Turkish Grand Prix. Despite flashes of brilliance, notably a wet qualifying at Monza during his rookie year, Stroll's consistency in showcasing his potential remains a challenge.
Lando Norris - 1 Pole
#104 all-time
Lando Norris clinched his sole pole in the wet at the final Russian Grand Prix in 2021. Known for occasional qualifying errors, particularly in challenging McLaren cars, Norris remains a strong contender for additional poles, especially with McLaren's positive performance trajectory.
George Russell - 1 Pole
#105 all-time
George Russell's standout qualifying performance arrived at the 2022 Hungarian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Sainz for pole while Hamilton settled for seventh. Despite Mercedes' insufficient performance during his tenure, Russell consistently displayed exceptional qualifying abilities, notably during his one-off Mercedes race at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix.
Kevin Magnussen - 1 Pole
#106 all-time
Kevin Magnussen's single pole, achieved at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, mirrored Hulkenberg's surprise success in mixed weather conditions. While not a consistently well-rounded driver, Magnussen demonstrates moments of brilliance when conditions align in his favor.