At the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend, Max Verstappen returned to top form after suffering a terminal brake issue at the previous round in Australia.
The Dutchman bounced back with a fourth straight pole position to start the season but was pushed all the way by team-mate Sergio Perez who lapped within 0.066s of the three-time world champion in Q3.
Verstappen was then untouchable during the grand prix as he cruised to a third win in four races to extend his championship lead.
But with his triumph on Saturday at the Suzuka Circuit, Verstappen matched one of Lewis Hamilton's career-best statistics.
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In 2015, Hamilton scored consecutive pole positions through rounds one to four marking his longest streak from the start of the season.
Verstappen set his own personal best record in Japan, drawing him level with Hamilton.
In fact, there are five drivers that have taken four pole positions in a row from the start of the campaign.
Should Verstappen take another four pole positions at the upcoming rounds in China, Miami, Imola and Monaco, he will claim the record as his own.
Consecutive pole positions from the start of the season
| Driver | Consecutive poles from season start | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Alain Prost | 7 | 1993 |
| Ayrton Senna | 6 | 1988 |
| Nigel Mansell | 6 | 1992 |
| Ayrton Senna | 5 | 1989 |
| Mika Hakkinen | 5 | 1999 |
| Ayrton Senna | 4 | 1991 |
| Jacques Villeneuve | 4 | 1997 |
| Sebastian Vettel | 4 | 2011 |
| Lewis Hamilton | 4 | 2015 |
| Max Verstappen | 4 | 2024 |
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