Before the race started, every driver/pundit said the inside is usually quite dirty and it statistically puts you at a distinct disadvantage down to turn one. This year’s race start runs contrary to previous years where the pole sitter has comfortably held the lead.

I think the reason is because the outside is the normal racing line, so the inside is typically dirty

I feel like the grid is the wrong way around here and pole should have been on the inside

Yup. Regardless of who one supports, it is a bad design IMHO.