gilgen wrote:n smikle wrote:I think you still get pole position statistic. But you don't get the grid position.
Correct. The penalty is applied AFTER qualifying.
Pole position statistics are counted on Sunday morning (the official grid printout from the FIA). So let's say Hamilton takes P1 in Q3. Button takes P2 in Q3. Button would be credited with pole position. Pole position is not the fastest qualifier; it's the frontmost starter, as of the FIA official grid printout.
So let's say Button takes P2 in Q3, then by virtue of Hamilton's penalty he starts 1st. Sunday morning, grid comes out, FIA says he's first. That's pole position. If for whatever reason he cannot start the race and has to withdraw, Button would still be the pole position man; even though the guy who was initially in P3 (P2 after Hamilton's penalty) is starting at the front of the pack.
Hope this clears things up.
Source: @virtualstatman on Twitter.