Each Formula 1 Grand Prix consists of a three-day weekend.
With the exception of races that use the recently introduced “Sprint Qualifying” format, Friday holds two free practice sections (FP1 and FP2), Saturday holds a final free practice session (FP3) and a qualifying session, and everything concludes on Sunday when the race finally takes place which determines the winner, podium sitters, and what makes the difference to the overall driver’s and constructor’s championship.
Qualifying is extremely important as it determines the starting grid for Sunday’s race (what position drivers will start P1-P20). Qualifying is based on time: whoever has the fastest lap will start on pole position (P1). Some tracks qualifying is more important than others – for example: qualifying in Monaco is extremely important as it is incredibly difficult to overtake on the circuit.
How does qualifying work?
Qualifying is composed of three rounds: Q1, Q2, and Q3.
Q1
Qualifying begins with Q1 where all 20 cars on the track are trying to set the fastest time during a 20-minute session. Drivers are allowed to complete as many laps as they want to during the 20-minute session to (hopefully) set a lap time that is fast enough to get them into the next round. At the end of 20 minutes, the 15 cars/drivers with the fastest lap times move on to the next qualifying session, Q2. The five cars/drivers with the slowest lap times are eliminated from qualifying, taking P16-P20 on Sunday’s starting grid.The driver/car with the fastest lap time (of the five slowest) will start P16, and so forth. The driver/car with the slowest lap time starts P20.
Q2
The fifteen remaining cars/drivers move on to the next qualifying session, Q2, which their previous lap times no longer count. For fifteen minutes, the 15 drivers/cars complete as many laps as they want to (hopefully) set a lap time that is fast enough to get them into the final round. At the end of 15 minutes, the slowest five cars/drivers are eliminated from qualifying, taking P11-P15 on the starting grid for Sunday’s race. The remaining fastest 10 cars/drivers progress to Q3, where the top ten (and the desirable pole position) are decided. The remaining drivers progress through to the top 10, where pole position is decided. Q2 also lasts for 15 minutes. Prior to 2022, tyre choice in Q2 was very important as they must use the same tyre choice to start the race. That rule no longer stands.
Q3
The final 10 cars fight for pole position (#1 spot on the grid) in a 10-minute battle during the last qualifying round (Q3). For ten minutes, the 10 drivers/cars complete as many laps as they want to set their fastest lap time. Normally, they complete two runs. The driver/car who has the fastest lap wins pole position, the second fastest lap time starts #2, and so forth. The slowest car/driver from Q3 starts 10th on Sunday’s race, barring any penalties or disqualification.
