F1 Australian GP: List of all pole sitters over the years

(Courtesy : Formula 1)
The Australian GP is one of the country’s oldest motorsport events!
As the F1 community prepares for another exciting race of the season, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the rich history of pole position winners at the Australian GP. The Australian GP has always been a memorable track on the calendar, from its “special” winning trophy to the nail-biting final moments that have compelled the drivers to portray their exceptional skills.
One standout driver we can’t forget is Lewis Hamilton, who’s been a pole position superstar. He currently holds the record for the most pole positions at the Australian Grand Prix, securing the prime starting spot eight times.
But Hamilton isn’t alone in the spotlight. Take Mika Hakkinen, for example. He’s a two-time champ and he rocked the qualifying sessions at Albert Park from 1998 to 2000, grabbing pole position three times. His win in 1998 proved he was one of the fastest drivers out there.
Then there’s Michael Schumacher, a true legend. He clinched pole position three times too, in 2001, 2003, and 2004. Despite tough competition, he showed his skills on the track and made history.
And let’s not forget Sebastian Vettel. He’s a former champ too and he ruled the qualifying sessions in 2010, 2011, and 2013. His ability to shine with different teams proved he’s one of the best in the game.
Looking back at these incredible drivers, it’s clear that getting pole position at the Australian Grand Prix is a big deal. While Hamilton holds the record, turning those poles into wins is a whole other challenge.
As we dig deeper into the history of the Australian Grand Prix, let us explore the list of all pole sitters at one of the most challenging tracks on the F1 calendar.
Also Read: F1: Australian GP winners over the years
List of all drivers starting from pole position at the Australian GP
| Year | Circuit | Driver | Constructor |
| 1985 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | Lotus-Renault |
| 1986 | Adelaide | Nigel Mansell | Williams-Honda |
| 1987 | Adelaide | Gerhard Berger | Ferrari |
| 1988 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda |
| 1989 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda |
| 1990 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda |
| 1991 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Honda |
| 1992 | Adelaide | Nigel Mansell | Williams-Renault |
| 1993 | Adelaide | Ayrton Senna | McLaren-Ford Cosworth |
| 1994 | Adelaide | Nigel Mansell | Williams-Renault |
| 1995 | Adelaide | Damon Hill | Williams-Renault |
| 1996 | Melbourne | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams-Renault |
| 1997 | Melbourne | Jacques Villeneuve | Williams-Renault |
| 1998 | Melbourne | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 1999 | Melbourne | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2000 | Melbourne | Mika Hakkinen | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2001 | Melbourne | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2002 | Melbourne | Rubens Barrichello | Ferrari |
| 2003 | Melbourne | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2004 | Melbourne | Michael Schumacher | Ferrari |
| 2005 | Melbourne | Giancarlo Fisichella | Renault |
| 2006 | Melbourne | Jenson Button | Honda |
| 2007 | Melbourne | Kimi Raikkonen | Ferrari |
| 2008 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2009 | Melbourne | Jenson Button | Brawn GP-Mercedes |
| 2010 | Melbourne | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2011 | Melbourne | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2012 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | McLaren-Mercedes |
| 2013 | Melbourne | Sebastian Vettel | Red Bull-Renault |
| 2014 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2015 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2016 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2017 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2018 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2019 | Melbourne | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes |
| 2022 | Melbourne | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari |
| 2023 | Melbourne | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT |
| 2024 | Melbourne | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT |
| 2025 | Melbourne | Lando Norris | McLaren Mercedes |
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Arpit is a Formula 1 content writer with a passion for storytelling both on and off the track, bringing sharp motorsport analysis and narrative depth to every piece. He is a lifelong bookworm with a deep appreciation for literary classics. He approaches F1 coverage with the eye of a journalist and the soul of a storyteller—believing that great stories, whether on paper or asphalt, deserve to be told well.
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