Before Antonelli, who were the youngest pole-sitters in F1 history?

1) Kimi Antonelli — 19 years, 6 months and 18 days — China 2026

Measured joy, but a happy smile for Kimi Antonelli after his first pole position in F1.

Taking advantage of George Russell's technical difficulties, Kimi Antonelli snatched pole position from his teammate on Saturday, March 14, 2026. Achieving this feat in only his second Formula 1 season has set a new record for precocity.

While this is technically his first recorded pole position, it's worth remembering that he had already dominated Sprint qualifying in Miami in 2025, in only his fifth Formula 1 weekend. A performance achieved at the age of 18, which was even more impressive given the... Mercedes Benz was not as dominant as at the start of the 2026 season.

2) Sebastian Vettel — 21 years, 2 months and 11 days — Italy 2008

With Sébastien Bourdais (on the left), 4th and Sebastian Vettel (on the right), in pole position, Toro Rosso made a strong impression during qualifying for the 2008 Italian GP.

The record stood for almost 18 years and dates back to a time when Kimi Antonelli had barely turned two. In September 2008, Sebastian Vettel, then a Formula 1 rookie, shocked the paddock by securing an exceptional pole position at the wheel of a modest Toro Rosso, which finished only 6th in the constructors' championship at the end of the season.

In the rain, the future four-time world champion dances and enjoys a great moment of happiness, finishing just 0,076 seconds ahead of the McLaren of Heikki Kovalainen. He would do even better the next day, winning the race by 12 seconds over the Finn, becoming the youngest winner in F1 history until that record was broken by Max Verstappen.

3) Charles Leclerc — 21 years, 5 months and 15 days — Bahrain 2019

Former Pirelli Motorsport boss Mario Isola hands over Charles Leclerc his first “mini-tire”, reserved for polemen.

After a season of discovery at Sauber, Charles Leclerc arrived at Ferrari at the beginning of 2019 and wasted no time making his mark. In only his second weekend, the new darling of the Team He made a strong statement by securing his first pole position in Bahrain, beating his teammate Sebastian Vettel by two tenths of a second.

The following day, unfortunately, Charles Leclerc experienced his first disappointment in red: his engine sputtered at the end of the race, forcing him to drive at a reduced speed. Overtaken by both Mercedes, he finished on his first F1 podium (3rd), a bittersweet result.

4) Fernando Alonso — 21 years, 7 months and 23 days — Malaysia 2003

Fernando Alonso (left) and Jarno Trulli (right) flank a jubilant Flavio Briatore after his drivers' one-two finish in qualifying.

That was 23 years ago and Fernando Alonso is still here! What longevity for the Spaniard, who was 21 years old when he started qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Asturian Bull puts in a masterful lap to take pole position and secure a one-two finish. Renault ahead of his teammate Jarno Trulli. A first pole position in only his second Grand Prix with Renault for the driver who was returning to F1 after a blank season, following his debut with the modest Italian team Minardi in 2001.

As with Charles Leclerc, his pole position ultimately turned into third place behind the winner Kimi Räikkönen, who secured his first F1 victory. Symbolically, Rubens Barrichello took second place ahead of Fernando Alonso, who had just the day before snatched the record for the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history from him.

5) Max Verstappen — 21 years, 10 months and 5 days — Hungary 2019

It was a long time coming, but finally it has arrived: Max Verstappen's first pole position!

Max Verstappen did everything very quickly upon arriving in Formula 1. From his debut at 17 — a record — to his first victory in his very first Grand Prix with Red Bull in 2016, when he was barely of legal age.

But to secure his first pole position, the Dutchman had to wait more than four years after his first Grand Prix. Despite already having 7 wins, 26 podium finishes, and 92 Grands Prix under his belt, the Red Bull driver had yet to achieve a single pole position by the time he arrived in Hungary in 2019 for the 12th round of the championship.

Max rectifies this anomaly in his already impressive record by dominating the Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas by only 0,018 s. It also gives the Honda engine its first pole position since the 2006 Australian Grand Prix. Since then, Verstappen has secured 47 more.

They also feature in the top 10 youngest polemen:

• Lando Norris (21 years, 10 months and 13 days — Russia 2021)
• Lance stroll (22 years and 17 days — Türkiye 2020)
• Rubens Barrichello (22 years, 3 months and 5 days — Belgium 1994)
• Lewis Hamilton (22 years, 5 months and 4 days — Canada 2007)
• Andrea De Cesaris (22 years, 10 months and 4 days — United States West 1982)