That Was Quick: Lewis Hamilton Achieves First F1 Pole Position With Ferrari

      Kym Illman

      Last night, Lewis Hamilton achieved his first-ever pole position with Ferrari, marking a small milestone in the history of the sport. As one of the most renowned Formula 1 drivers and a seven-time world champion, the Brit will begin tonight's Sprint race from the front of the grid. While some might argue that a Sprint isn't a true Grand Prix, it's worth noting that Hamilton had to outperform the same rivals and vehicles as he would have during qualifying for the main race tomorrow.

      Early in the 2025 F1 season, McLaren has emerged as the team to beat. Lando Norris claimed victory in the season's opening race last week in Australia and seemed poised to secure the sprint pole during practice this week. However, Norris encountered some difficulties towards the end of qualifying, and Hamilton found his Ferrari to be considerably quicker than in the prior week, enough to leave him “gobsmacked,” as reported by the BBC.

      Getty

      “I started out right away with a better feeling in the car, and I can’t believe we are at the front,” Hamilton remarked after the Sprint qualifying.

      The remainder of the weekend doesn’t need to improve for Hamilton—this moment should still be celebrated as historic. It's true that if he wins tonight's sprint race or Sunday’s Grand Prix, yesterday’s sprint pole may not be remembered as fondly. However, the most successful F1 driver of our era achieving his first pole with one of the most legendary teams in the sport’s history during just their second race together is certainly significant.

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      We cannot predict what Hamilton’s future holds with Ferrari. He might secure two more championships or struggle at the back of the pack. Yet, this moment indicates an exciting prospect for F1 enthusiasts. With mutual support, Hamilton has the opportunity to revive his career after a few disappointing seasons with Mercedes, and Ferrari could be on the cusp of winning another constructors’ championship.

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