Cosworth’s first pole since 1999

The Brazilian GP pole by Hulkenberg is Cosworth’s first pole position since the 1999 French Grand Prix when Brazil’s Rubens Barrichello claimed pole position for Stewart Grand Prix. Coincidentally Brazil is also the scene of Cosworth’s last F1 victory, with Giancarlo Fisichella’s Jordan in 2003, while the last time a Williams Cosworth was on pole position for a race was in 1983 with Keke Rosberg – in Brazil. As if those stats are not enough, today’s date is exactly 17 years since the late Ayrton Senna claimed pole position for his last ever Grand Prix race win – in a Cosworth powered McLaren.

Hulkenberg and Barrichello are using fresh engines because Cosworth has had no engine failures all year. On 1/4th the budget it's good to see minnow Cosworth beat the giants on this day.