pole position

American  

noun

1. a position on the inside of the track in any race.

2. (in auto racing) a starting position on the inside of the front row.

3. an advantageous position.

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pole position British  

noun

1. (in motor racing) the starting position on the inside of the front row, generally considered the best one

2. an advantageous starting position

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Example Sentences

Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Kimi Antonelli took his second pole position in a row as he beat Mercedes team-mate George Russell in qualifying at the Japanese Grand Prix.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Last year, Verstappen's pole position lap to beat the two McLarens was widely hailed as one of his greatest and it proved the foundation of a defensive victory against Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

In 49 Truck Series starts, Dye has two finishes in the Top 5 and 10 finishes in the Top 10, earning one pole position.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

First, OpenAI would have to lose its AI pole position.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026