Following the conclusion of an eventful Formula 1 qualifying session, the driver securing pole position earns prestige above their competitors and receives a commemorative miniature tyre from Pirelli. But what exactly is this tiny tyre, why is it awarded, and what becomes of it after the pole-sitter poses with it in the parc fermé?
This miniature tyre is known as Pirelli’s Pole Position award, a relatively recent addition to the collection of F1 trophies. As stated by the Italian tyre manufacturer, the concept for this award originated during testing prior to the 2018 season, and it was officially introduced at that year’s Australian Grand Prix – with Lewis Hamilton claiming the inaugural prize for achieving the fastest qualifying lap for the opening race.
These awards are crafted from replicas of Pirelli’s wind tunnel tyres, which are provided to teams by F1’s official tyre supplier for vehicle and component testing. Therefore, the tyre is a scaled-down version, at 60% of the original size, of a genuine F1 tyre – measuring 330mm in diameter.
To transform the tyre from a testing component into a trophy, it is transported to Pirelli’s facility in Milan, where teams typically responsible for engraving experimental tread patterns into new tyres begin their work. The trophies are embellished with both the F1 and Pirelli emblems, along with a detailed map of the circuit where the award will be presented.
The trophy is then carefully packed and transported to each race by a member of the Pirelli team as part of their carry-on luggage. After qualifying, the miniature tyre is signed and presented to the driver who achieved the fastest lap. Following the presentation ceremony, it is securely packaged and personally handed over to the driver’s team by Pirelli.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
In the case of George Russell, who achieved pole position at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix, his Pole Position Award has been brought back to Brackley and proudly displayed in the reception area of the Mercedes F1 team’s headquarters.
Pirelli indicates that, for other teams, these trophies sometimes find their way to the drivers’ homes, are frequently donated to museums worldwide, or have been auctioned off to raise funds for charitable causes.
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– The Autosport.com Team
