How Does Formula 1 Qualifying Work?

Before we get started - check out the full F1 2025 schedule and how the F1 weekend works prior to the Grand Prix! Don’t forget to make sure you know how a full length Formula 1 race works too!

What is Formula 1 Qualifying?

The Qualifying Session during a Formula 1 race weekend is what sets up the start grid for the Grand Prix. Qualifying is crucial for the weekend and can sometimes determine the outcome of the race, before the Grand Prix has even started. The aim of qualifying is for the drivers to put their car at the very front of the grid. This ensures that they get a leg up against their competitors and usually sets them up for a better race…Think of it as getting a 5 meter head start in a running race. 

Qualifying can make or break a race, especially for many of the street circuits and narrower tracks where overtaking is more difficult. Starting ahead of the pack eliminates the need to drive through the traffic, which is where lots of the risks are taken in terms of overtaking and it can save the tires from quicker degradation. In simple terms, starting at the front is much better than starting at the back!

How Does Qualifying Work?

Formula 1 qualifying follows a ‘knock-out’ format where it slowly eliminates drivers on the grid until it gets to the final 10. It lasts for one full hour and is broken up into three different sections: Q1, Q2 and Q3. 

Q1

Q1 runs for 18 minutes long. Within these 18 minutes, all 20 cars must try and set their fastest time. At the end of the session, the bottom 5 drivers (the slowest drivers) are eliminated and can head back to the pits for their team to prepare their cars for the Grand Prix. 

Q2

Q2 is 15 minutes long and only includes the remaining 15 drivers. With less opportunity to set a time on track, many drivers tend to find themselves in traffic, getting impeded by other drivers, and missing chances to set their best time.

Q3

The final section of Formula 1 qualifying lasts for 12 minutes and only includes the fastest ten drivers. Q3 is less about the elimination aspect and more about fighting for pole position. Pole position, also known as P1, is the very first position on the grid, meaning that any driver who secures pole position, starts ahead of the rest of the competition. To put it in perspective, for a track like Monaco, pole position gives the driver a VERY high chance of winning the Grand Prix solely because they’re starting ahead of the rest of the field. Q3 can be very intense and as a viewer it is the most exciting part of qualifying!

What is Sprint Qualifying?

Sprint Qualifying follows the same format as the regular Grand Prix qualifying, but there are a few tweaks to note. Firstly, it has become nicknamed ‘SQuali’ as F1 reverted back to calling it Sprint Qualifying rather than the Sprint Shootout.

Sprint Qualifying takes place on the Friday of a race weekend, following the conclusion of Free Practice 1. That is because the weekend format for a sprint race weekend is different from a regular race weekend. A sprint race weekend will consist of one free practice session that takes place on Friday ahead of SQuali, then the Saturday will be the Sprint race followed by the qualifying session for the Grand Prix, and then Sunday is reserved for the Grand Prix.

Sprint Qualifying is broken up into three sections as well: SQ1, SQ2 & SQ3. These qualifying sessions are much shorter than the regular qualifying ones, which adds a challenge for all of the drivers. 

SQ1

SQ1 runs for 12 minutes long and will see all twenty drivers take to the track. This always evokes more of a challenge for the drivers and teams as they have to be more strategic about when they head out on track in order to avoid traffic or incidents with the other cars. 

SQ2

SQ2 runs for 10 minutes which only involves the remaining 15 drivers. Again, the aim is NOT to get eliminated from this session for a chance at pole position and starting in the top ten.

SQ3

SQ3 runs for only 8 minutes which usually gives the drivers only one chance to set a flying lap. Since points are only awarded to the top 8 drivers in the sprint race, starting in a higher position on the grid will set them up for a better chance at success. 

For more details on points, check out our article that details how they are allocated! (COMING SOON)

What is Parc Ferme?

Once the qualifying sessions conclude, the Formula 1 cars have to enter ‘Parc Ferme’. This ultimately means that the teams aren’t able to make any more big changes to the car, and if they do, they will face penalties. 

Teams have a certain amount of parts that they can change on the car, and there are implications if a team utilizes more than they were allocated. It is very common throughout a Formula 1 season to see a driver receive a 5-10 place grid penalty for taking another Power Unit (PU).

For more information on Parc Ferme, check out our article about how a Grand Prix works.