pole position

See pole position § Origin on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

pole position (countable and uncountable, plural pole positions)

1. (motor racing) The top qualifying position for a race, on the inside of the front row at the starting line.

   Smith once again enjoys the pole position.

2. (by extension) First place.
   • 2021 March 31, Phil McNulty, “England 2-1 Poland: What shape are Gareth Southgate's side in?”, in BBC Sport‎:

     The England manager and his players hardly deserve too much criticism after move into pole position in their group, but that comes with the caveat that there will be much sterner tests to come in the months ahead.

   • 2023 November 29, Richard Foster, “Tyne & Wear Metro goes with the flow”, in RAIL, number 997, page 35:

     It has proven that Nexus can undertake big infrastructure projects, putting it firmly in pole position to undertake the reopening of the Leamside line to Washington. [Tyne and Wear]

• bubble position
• polesitter

• inside track, racing line

Unadapted borrowing from English pole position.

pole position f (invariable)

1. (motor racing, also figurative) pole position (both senses)