Despite experiencing several pitfalls, Max Verstappen has tried to maintain his high benchmark of performance which earned him three world championships. His knack for breaking records and climbing up the statistical charts of F1 has carried on in 2024, with Verstappen entering an elite club of F1 pole sitters.
The Dutchman registered his 40th pole position at the Austrian GP this season, which made him only the fifth driver to score 40 or more poles with a single constructor — with all his poles coming for Red Bull.
Per F1 analyst Daniel Valente, the other four drivers in this list include the two seven-time world champions, Lewis Hamilton with 78 poles for Mercedes and Michael Schumacher with 58 poles for Ferrari. Ayrton Senna follows them with 46 poles during his time at McLaren, meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel — the only other Red Bull world champion — with 44 poles.
Most Poles With Same Team
Lewis Hamilton & Mercedes: 78
Michael Schumacher & Ferrari: 58
Ayrton Senna & McLaren: 46
Sebastian Vettel & Red Bull: 44
Max Verstappen & Red Bull: 40The only 5 with at least 40. Charles Leclerc is next closest active driver (26 poles with Ferrari). pic.twitter.com/ItPuHuIBkV
— Daniel Valente ️ (@F1GuyDan) November 17, 2024
In fact, these are the only five drivers to have scored 40 or more career pole positions in F1 history. Charles Leclerc is one man — from the active drivers — who could break into this club of pole sitters in the future, as the Monegasque currently has 26 poles to his name.
As for Verstappen, while Red Bull has struggled with the RB20’s gremlins, the #1 driver has kept pushing to eke out every ounce of performance from his car despite being frustrated about its handling issues. He still has the most poles (8) this season, ahead of his title rival, Lando Norris (7).
Speaking about Norris, who was looking to dethrone Verstappen as the world champion, is almost out of contention for the 2024 drivers’ title, owing to the Red Bull driver’s wet weather masterclass in Brazil.
This means that Verstappen only needs to outscore the Briton by just three points to secure his fourth consecutive world title at the upcoming Las Vegas GP. If he can do so, the Red Bull driver will join the likes of Vettel and Alain Prost as a four-time F1 champion.
