Oliver Rowland joins elite list of Formula E Pole winners — guess who holds the all-time record
Image credit: Oliver Rowlan/Instagram
Oliver Rowland
, after clinching pole position at the
Monaco E-Prix
, has joined an elite group of drivers with the most
pole positions in Formula E
. The Nissan driver is now tied with
Mitch Evans
for third place, each having secured 9 pole positions. But who holds the record for the most poles in Formula E history? It's none other than
Jean-Eric Vergne
, with 17 poles.
Operation Sindoor
India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan
India-Pakistan tensions: Delhi airport issues travel advisory
Operation Sindoor: Multiple explosions heard at several Pakistan air bases
He is followed closely by Monaco Round 7 winner
Sebastien Buemi
, who sits in second place with 16 poles.
Here are the all-time Pole winners in Formula E
Oliver Rowland secured pole position in the Monaco Round 7 qualifying session, but the so-called 'pole curse' at Monaco—where no pole-sitter has won the race since 2021—continued. Rowland had to settle for second place in the race. Interestingly, he had won Round 6 after starting from second on the grid. Over the course of 85 Formula E races, Rowland has now achieved 9 poles, 6 wins, and 18 podiums.
DS Penske's Jean-Eric Vergne holds the all-time record for the most Formula E pole positions, with 17 from 137 race starts. He has 11 wins and 36 podiums in his career.
Buemi started from eighth on the grid but managed to clinch a long-awaited victory in Monaco Round 7. This was his third win at the Monaco E-Prix. The Envision Racing driver had previously won in 2015 and 2017, converting pole positions into race victories on both occasions. Buemi now has 16 poles in 134 races, with 14 wins and 33 podiums in his Formula E career.
Mitch Evans, who won the season's first Sao Paulo E-Prix, is still awaiting his next victory. The Jaguar TCS Racing driver has earned 9 poles in 118 races and boasts 13 wins and 32 podiums overall.
Also Read:
Taylor Barnard marks Monaco pole win on Instagram: 'It wasn't the weekend we were hoping for'
The drivers now look ahead to the upcoming Tokyo E-Prix doubleheader in Japan, scheduled for May 17 and 18. Rowland is considered one of the strong contenders, especially after his recent Monaco podium and a strong performance in Japan last season.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
India celebrate 1st anniversary of T20 World Cup 2024 win: Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma relive historic day in Barbados
June 29, 2025 marks the first anniversary of India's historic T20 World Cup win in Barbados. Unbeaten throughout the tournament, the Men in Blue led by Rohit Sharma defeated South Africa by seven runs at Bridgetown, Barbados to break their ICC trophy drought after 11 years and lift only their second World Cup title in the shortest format. It was both Virat Kohli and Rohit's first World Cup win together. It was also head coach Rahul Dravid's first World Cup win with a senior team. What followed was nothing short of a fairytale which will be remembered by everyone in the team for the rest of their lives. After landing in New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian team headed to Mumbai where a open bus parade was awaiting the Indian stars, followed by victory celebrations at the Wankhede. Taking to Instagram, Rohit shared a video on Instagram with snapshots from the T20 World Cup 2024. "This trophy, of course its means a lot to us but it is for the entire nation," Rohit was heard saying in the video which he captioned, 'On This Day.' All-rounder Hardik Pandya, who bowled the crucial final over and defended 16 runs, also shared a video recalling the day. 'A day I'll never forget. A day we'll never forget. For all of us, India,' he captioned. Suryakumar Yadav, too shared a series of pictures, including his match-turning boundary -line catch to dismiss David Miller in the final over. '29th June, 2024 ki yaadein. The team that played well and billions of you standing strong behind us, this one was for you all,' wrote the current India's T20I captain in caption.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
From Palakkad's paddy fields to Dakar Glory: Harith Noah's arc continues its voyage
Motorsport is considered a niche in a country like India. In a nation where cricket is the dominant sport, it is not just money that makes you successful in the world of racing — having that innate skill and the willpower to reach the finish line at all costs is what makes a true champion. In that case, rally raid racer Harith Noah certainly fits the say that the 32-year-old is a legend of Indian motorsport would be an understatement. Hailing from the town of Shoranur in the Palakkad district of Kerala, Noah has already carved a long-lasting legacy in the sport with his impeccable riding skills and sheer determination to succeed. What began in 2009, when he was just 16, quickly bore fruit as Noah went on to win five national Supercross titles. But soon enough, he found his true calling in the world-famous Dakar 2018, he shifted his focus to cross-country rallies and made his Dakar debut in 2020. The following year, Noah became the third Indian athlete — after CS Santosh and Aravind KP — to complete the gruelling event. In 2021, he also became the first Indian to secure a top-20 finish. By 2024, the Rally Raid racer had broken several of his records, becoming the first Indian champion at the Dakar Rally in the Rally 2 class, winning two stages on his way to the crown. advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dakar Rally (@dakarrally) He finished 11th in the bike category, narrowly missing out on a top-10 finish by just six minutes. This made him the fastest Indian in the history of the Dakar the 2025 edition of the Dakar Rally didn't go as planned. In what was his sixth appearance at the iconic event, a crash in the prologue stage left Noah with a broken wrist, forcing him to the setback, Noah bounced back quickly, setting his sights on a grand return to Dakar next year. India Today caught up with the Rally Raid biker as he continued training at the Red Bull Athlete Performance Centre in Santa Monica, California, where he recounted his remarkable journey from the paddy fields of Shoranur to the deserts of Dakar. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harith Noah (@harithnoah8)The beginningNoah's love for bikes started in 2009 when he received his first motorcycle as a gift — and promptly took it racing through the paddy fields near his home. His first race ended with him finishing last, but it sparked a lifelong passion."It began back in 2009, if I'm not wrong. I just had got a motorcycle for my birthday or Christmas. There was a race happening down the road, like in the paddy fields. They asked me if I wanted to take part, and I said yes, but I didn't know how to ride yet. So I kind of learned in a few days. I could ride, but not properly. I took part in the race and I finished last, but that's when my love for bikes first struck me and then I wanted to keep doing it and get better," said Noah. Harith in action (Courtesy: TVS Sherco) Noah also made it a point to separate his passion for racing from reckless driving on the road."I never rode the bike on the road. The first bike I had, I turned it into a race bike. I usually use my mother's scooter. Even now, I hardly ride on the road. I mean, I have an RR from TVS, which is nice. Sometimes I take it out, but normally I don't ride on the road.," said most Indian parents, motorsport is often seen as a dangerous path. But in Harith's case, it was his father, Mr. Mohammed Rafi, who fueled the interest. A former rally navigator, Mr. Rafi played a pivotal role in Harith's early days — acting as a crew chief, mentor, and travel companion."He was there a lot from the beginning. Especially at the start, he was more present than right now. He taught me many things. Not that he has been a racer, but he took part in a rally when he was younger as a navigator. Back then, there used to be two guys on the motorcycle.""He had a few contacts with some people who raced around my house. The whole time I was doing Supercross, he was always there.""We did everything ourselves. We had a Scorpio, dismantled the bike, put it inside the car, and traveled for the National Supercross races. The furthest we went was Chandigarh. We didn't drive that time—we took a train, but sent the bike there," said Noah."I haven't really thought about retirement or the legacy I want to leave behind. I'm not seeing an end right now—I want to keep doing my best and maybe go bigger than I have already. No one thought I'd win Rally 2 before 2024—but it happened. It took 13 days of racing. I believe greater things are possible, but a lot of things need to line up properly." advertisementThe 32-year-old recalled one specific moment where his father made him realise his passion for racing and help him setup his career."There's one moment when we were at a race in Chandigarh. I forgot my knee brace and ended up buying some from a local shop, and the first race didn't go so well.""After that, me and my dad had a discussion. He asked, 'Do you really want to? You have to push if you want to do it,' and so on. That was like a turning point. I won the second race after that. I started winning and taking the championship title, which was not the plan initially. After that, we joined TVS," said love for DakarNoah's doesn't romanticise his affection for the Dakar Rally, but keeps it rather simple and straightforward. He acknowledges its chaos and unpredictability, which is precisely what draws him to a lot of different challenges. That's why it's so special. It's not straightforward. In other sports like marathon running, you know what you're up against. The weather might change, but the route is known. In Dakar, it's super unplanned—you don't know what's coming, what's around the hill, which way to go. You need physical fitness, good navigation, strong mental ability. Mistakes will happen. It's about how you deal with them. It's all about not overthinking at that time," said background in sports science helped him emotionally recover from the 2025 disappointment at the Dakar."It's super hard mentally to go to Dakar and leave before it even starts due to injury. That's not a nice feeling. But I try to be present. I can't change it once it has happened. Going forward, I will always focus on doing my best, not on results. The most important thing for me is giving my 100 percent and learning from my mistakes," said Noah. Harith in action (Credit: TVS Sherco) So does the fastest Indian at the Dakar aim to win it in the future? Well, he remains grounded when it comes to his ambitions at the prestigious event. "No, I don't have the confidence to win it. Even when I won Rally 2, I never really thought I would do it. It was never my plan. Of course, I enjoyed the win and I really loved the 2024 Dakar performance. But for me, what matters is doing my best. Ofcourse, winning the Dakar would be amazing," said Harith."I dream of one day when people are waiting for the weekend to watch Indian Supercross live on TV—or watching the Dakar every January." One of his proudest moments in Dakar 2024 wasn't the win itself, but the feeling of competing with the very best."The biggest achievement was leading stage 10 overall until the last 30 kilometres—not just Rally 2, overall. That's almost 4 hours of racing. I slowed down a bit at the end due to difficult navigation and finished fifth. That was the greatest feeling for me. Then in Morocco, I finished 4th and 5th on two stages. So again, top 5 overall. As for Dakar, the team asked me if I wanted to know the results on the last day. I spoke to my psychiatrist, and we decided not to check. I just wanted to give my best. After the race, I got to know I had won," said future of motorsport in IndiaThe lack of institutional support is a well-known barrier for Indian motorsport athletes. But Noah believes the issue goes beyond funding."For me, it's the lack of skill level on the motorcycle compared to others. Most pro athletes start at the age of three or five. I started at 16. Their skill is way higher. If you put all the Dakar riders on a track, I'd probably finish between 30 and 40. But on the Dakar stage with navigation and 5 hours of racing, that's where I can be top 10 or top 5. So for me, the most important thing to work on is riding the bike—improving skills over endurance and everything else," said he's encouraged by recent developments, including the launch of the Indian Supercross Racing League."It's improving. If you zoom out five or 10 years, there's definitely growth. Ten years ago, I was possibly the youngest rider at 16. Now, at any Supercross race, there are 10 to 20 kids under 15. So yeah, it's going in the right direction. Two manufacturers in Dakar is a really positive thing. It makes people believe that it's possible to race or even win the Dakar from India," said legacy he wants to leave behind View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harith Noah (@harithnoah8)Noah isn't thinking about retirement just yet. He feels like he still has a long way to go and can achieve more in the sport. "I haven't really thought about retirement or the legacy I want to leave behind. I'm not seeing an end right now. I want to keep doing my best and maybe go bigger than I have already. No one thought I'd win Rally 2 before 2024—but it happened. I believe greater things are possible, but a lot of things need to line up properly," said his dream? To bring motorsport closer to the Indian mainstream."I dream of one day when people are waiting for the weekend to watch Indian Supercross live on TV—or watching the Dakar every January," concluded that dream comes true, expect Noah to be at the forefront, tackling the unforgiving challenges of Dakar — and making India proud.- Ends
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
From Virat Kohli rumours to Chris Gayle: 9 famous sports personalities who smoke or have been caught smoking
Sports stars who smoke: While most people expect athletes to lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle, some sports personalities smoking may come as a surprise. Even in today's health-conscious world, some athletes smoke, including well-known cricketers who smoke. Whether it's cigarettes, cigars, or vaping, many top players have been caught in controversy for their smoking habits. From cricket legends to footballers and golfers, here's a list of famous sports personalities who smoke, breaking the typical athlete image. Virat Kohli's smoking controversy Indian cricketer Virat Kohli recently found himself at the centre of a social media storm. A Reddit post titled "Virat Kohli smokes" claimed the star secretly smoked cigarettes, despite being known for his clean, disciplined image. The post even accused him of eating non-vegetarian food, while publicly identifying as vegan—something believed to be influenced by his wife, Anushka Sharma. Though the original post was later deleted, the controversy didn't fade. An alleged blurry image of Kohli smoking was shared across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, sparking widespread debate. The photo was not verified, but it added fuel to the fire. The same post also alleged that hundreds of IPL players smoke during the season, though no specific names were revealed. Hardik Pandya was spotted vaping In 2018, Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya was seen in a viral video where he appeared to be either smoking or vaping. The video was taken during MS Dhoni's birthday celebration. While Dhoni and his wife, Sakshi, were preparing to cut the cake, Pandya could be seen in the background, exhaling thick smoke. Though the clip was removed from the internet, screenshots are still circulating. It's unclear whether he was smoking a cigarette or vaping, but the incident left many fans disappointed, and some even called for the BCCI to take action. Chris Gayle – The party lover Known as the 'Universe Boss', Chris Gayle is famous not just for his explosive batting but also for his party lifestyle. He has often been spotted smoking a cigar and drinking during parties. However, Gayle's open and fun-loving personality has kept him out of serious trouble, and he remains one of the most entertaining cricketers who smokes. Shane Warne – The chain smoker Late Australian spinner Shane Warne was a legendary figure in cricket. But outside the field, he was known for being a constant smoker. Despite this, Warne had a highly successful career. He also gained media fame for his charm and humour. Sadly, his smoking habit was one of the many personal challenges he faced, including a high-profile separation from his wife. Mario Balotelli – Controversy follows him Italian striker Mario Balotelli has never stayed away from headlines. Apart from his unpredictable behaviour, he has often been caught smoking cigarettes in public. Despite this, Balotelli has had a successful football career, playing for big clubs like AC Milan and Manchester City. He is one of the most talked-about athletes who smokes. Zinedine Zidane – The cigar lover Ballon d'Or winner Zinedine Zidane has been pictured smoking a cigarette. We've no idea how many the former Real Madrid and Juventus legend smoked, but it certainly didn't get in the way of him becoming the best player in the world at one point. Former French footballer and Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has occasionally been seen lighting cigars during celebrations. While it's not a regular habit, he still joins the list of sports personalities who smoke. Zidane, a World Cup winner and multiple-time Champions League-winning coach, has also raised four sons who are pursuing careers in football. Charley Hull – Smokes to stay focused British golfer Charley Hull has openly admitted to her smoking habit, saying it helps her focus better during tournaments. Hull, who has ADHD, worries that being unable to smoke during some events may affect her performance. Despite this, she continues to perform at the top level and is considered one of the best female athletes who smoke cigarettes. Wojciech Szczęsny – Faced club warnings Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, currently with Juventus, faced criticism during his time at Arsenal for smoking in the dressing room. He was reportedly fined and disciplined for it. Despite the controversy, Szczęsny has built a solid career and is now a trusted player in Serie A. He is among the few footballers openly linked with smoking. Ashley Cole – Defensive star, controversial off-field English footballer Ashley Cole was another name frequently spotted smoking during his playing career. Despite being a top-class defender for Chelsea and Arsenal, Cole's off-field habits—including his smoking—often made headlines. He had a well-publicised divorce from singer Cheryl Tweedy and is now a father of two. He remains one of the most recognisable sports personalities who smokes. Even though health risks related to smoking are widely known, several sports personalities continue to light up. While some do it openly, others try to keep it a secret. Whether it's cricketers who smoke or athletes who smoke cigarettes, these stories show that even top performers have personal habits that go against public expectations. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
