In 2012, the number of drivers admitted to Q2 was increased from ten to twelve, but the number of positions to be reversed on the grid for Race 2 remained ten. This in order to avoid possible strategies to secure the pole.
Of all the drivers, Stefano D’Aste was the best interpreter of the new regulations and managed to claim the reverse pole position on four different occasions. Which put him in the position to win on the Suzuka East Circuit, where overtaking is nearly impossible.
Norbert Michelisz was the poleman on the reverse grid twice.