How does qualifying work in F1? Qualifying system explained

Last Modified Mar 3, 2021 05:00 GMT

What is a Qualifying Session?

Before conducting any race on Sunday, a qualifying session is held a day before the race on a Saturday to determine the order in which the cars will line up on the grid before the race. The qualifying session is considered by many, as important as the race because of the impact the starting position could have on the race.

The current edition of Formula One cars belongs to an era where overtaking is often not straightforward and you lose a lot of time following another car. So better your grid position is, the better possibility you would have of winning the race.

There have been alterations in the qualifying format to make it more attractive. In the current Iteration, qualifying has been divided into three smaller sessions Q1, Q2, and Q3.

The Qualifying format

The current qualifying format is divided into three sessions Q1, Q2, and Q3. After every session, a set of cars are eliminated while the rest qualify for the next session.

Q1: The first session is 18 minutes long. All the 20 cars take part in the session and the slowest 5 cars are eliminated at the end of the session. The Grid Positions 16th to 20th are decided on the basis of their times in this session.

Q2: The second session is 15 minutes long. The top 15 cars from the previous session take part in this session. The top 10 cars from this session qualify for the next session while the slowest 5 cars are eliminated at the end of this session. One added stipulation in this session states that the top 10 cars have to start the race on the same tires as the ones on which they did their fastest qualifying run in Q2. The Grid Positions 11th to 15th are decided on the basis of their times in this session.

Q3: The third session is 12 minutes long and the top 10 positions are decided on the basis of the fastest times in this session. The pole position is awarded to the driver with the fastest time in this session.

Importance of a good qualifying

Lewis Hamilton is the most successful qualifier for F1

A good qualifying session means you start further up the grid. It’s always better to start further up the grid if you want to improve your chances of a good race. A good qualifying doesn’t necessarily mean a good race but it does improve the prospects of putting together a good race. Lewis Hamilton holds the record for the most number of pole positions with 98 pole positions to his name.

FAQs

F1 qualifying determines the starting grid for the main race on Sunday. Drivers aim to set the fastest lap times to secure better starting positions, which can impact their strategy and chances in the race.

Qualifying is split into three timed sessions: Q1, Q2, and Q3. All drivers participate in Q1, with the five slowest eliminated. The remaining 15 drivers compete in Q2, where another five are eliminated. Finally, the top 10 drivers compete in Q3 to set the top grid positions.

Pole position is awarded to the driver who sets the fastest lap in Q3. This driver starts at the front of the grid on race day, which is often an advantageous position.

The Qualifying session in formula One lasts, Q1 for 18 minutes, Q2 for 15 minutes, and Q3 for 12 minutes.

Related Stories

“Being loyal to each other”: When Toto Wolff revealed how Lewis Hamilton transformed into ‘a real team player’ “Being loyal to each other”: When Toto Wolff revealed how Lewis Hamilton transformed into ‘a real team player’
“Being loyal to each other”: When Toto Wolff revealed how Lewis Hamilton transformed into ‘a real team player’
Alex Albon’s Golfer girlfriend blushes outside the Williams star’s garage during Chinese GP Alex Albon’s Golfer girlfriend blushes outside the Williams star’s garage during Chinese GP
Alex Albon’s Golfer girlfriend blushes outside the Williams star’s garage during Chinese GP
1d
Toto Wolff makes bold proclamation about George Russell after his second successive podium for Mercedes in the F1 Chinese GP Toto Wolff makes bold proclamation about George Russell after his second successive podium for Mercedes in the F1 Chinese GP
Toto Wolff makes bold proclamation about George Russell after his second successive podium for Mercedes in the F1 Chinese GP
Yuki Tsunoda dead set on fighting “monster” Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda dead set on fighting “monster” Red Bull teammate
Yuki Tsunoda dead set on fighting “monster” Red Bull teammate
1d
Red Bull chief drops a damning verdict amid Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda saga Red Bull chief drops a damning verdict amid Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda saga
Red Bull chief drops a damning verdict amid Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda saga
1d
Max Verstappen likes the post criticizing Red Bull's move to fire Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda Max Verstappen likes the post criticizing Red Bull's move to fire Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda
Max Verstappen likes the post criticizing Red Bull's move to fire Liam Lawson for Yuki Tsunoda
1d
Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap and the possible method to Red Bull's madness Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap and the possible method to Red Bull's madness
Liam Lawson-Yuki Tsunoda swap and the possible method to Red Bull's madness
1d
"He will be missed": When RB chief Laurent Mekies paid tribute to the 'true gentleman' Daniel Ricciardo who lost his seat to Liam Lawson "He will be missed": When RB chief Laurent Mekies paid tribute to the 'true gentleman' Daniel Ricciardo who lost his seat to Liam Lawson
"He will be missed": When RB chief Laurent Mekies paid tribute to the 'true gentleman' Daniel Ricciardo who lost his seat to Liam Lawson
1d
Former Japanese F1 driver shares ominous meme as Yuki Tsunoda becomes Max Verstappen's third teammate in 4 races Former Japanese F1 driver shares ominous meme as Yuki Tsunoda becomes Max Verstappen's third teammate in 4 races
Former Japanese F1 driver shares ominous meme as Yuki Tsunoda becomes Max Verstappen's third teammate in 4 races
1d
Watch: A fan gives an adorable 4-word compliment to George Russell Watch: A fan gives an adorable 4-word compliment to George Russell
Watch: A fan gives an adorable 4-word compliment to George Russell
1h
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications