Before the start of a Formula 1 race, drivers line up according to their starting positions. This arrangement is determined through the qualifying session. Formula 1 qualifying is a session designed to establish the starting order of drivers on race day. The position a driver qualifies for during this session determines their starting position in the race. These positions are determined by each driver’s fastest lap times, with faster lap times resulting in higher starting positions. Faster lap times place drivers higher than those with slower lap times.
How Does the Qualifying Session Work in F1?
The qualifying session is divided into three parts: Q1 (qualifying 1), Q2 (qualifying 2), and Q3 (qualifying 3). Q1 lasts for 18 minutes, Q2 for 15 minutes, and Q3 for only 12 minutes.
How Does Q1 Work in F1?
During Q1, the first part of the qualifying session, all 20 drivers participate. However, the five drivers with the slowest lap times, specifically positions 16 to 20, are eliminated. This leaves only 15 drivers eligible for the next session, Q2. The positions of these drivers are determined by their lap times, with faster times resulting in higher positions.
How Does Q2 Work in F1?
In Q2, the second phase of the qualifying session, only the 15 drivers who avoid elimination from Q1 participate. Similar to Q1, five drivers with the slowest lap times are eliminated. This results in only 10 drivers remaining, as positions 11 to 15 are eliminated. The drivers’ positions are determined by the speed of their lap times during the session.
How Does Q3 Work in F1?
In Q3, the third and final part of the qualifying session, the remaining 10 drivers participate. The driver who sets the fastest time in this session takes the pole position and leads the pack in the Sunday race, unless they have a grid drop penalty. The remaining drivers line up behind in descending order based on their lap times.
How Does Sprint Qualifying in F1 Work?
In 2021 and 2022, Formula 1 introduced sprint races, and the qualifying format to determine the grid for these races evolved. The traditional qualifying sessions during these seasons typically set the grid for the sprint race. The final positions in the sprint race, in turn, determined the grid lineup for the Sunday Grand Prix.
In the 2023 season, a new qualifying format for sprint races was introduced. The traditional qualifying on Friday sets the grid for the Sunday Grand Prix. On Saturday, a Sprint Shootout, a separate sprint qualifying session, determines the grid only for the sprint race. The Sprint Shootout typically occurs on Saturday morning, with the sprint race taking place in the afternoon. Points are awarded to the top eight finishers in the Sprint, ranging from eight to one.
The Sprint Shootout follows a structure similar to regular qualifying, divided into three parts: SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3. SQ1 lasts for 12 minutes (shortened from 18), SQ2 for 10 minutes (shortened from 15), and SQ3 for eight minutes (shortened from 12). This modified format determines the grid exclusively for the sprint race on Saturday afternoon.
Conclusion
Qualifying is integral to what makes Formula 1 a captivating sport. The slim margins that often determine success contribute to its status as the pinnacle of motorsport. Take the recently concluded 2023 season, for instance – qualifying showcased moments of brilliance, such as the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix, where Verstappen secured pole position by making a crucial difference in the final sector, surpassing Fernando Alonso. Another thrilling example is the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, where Hamilton outpaced Verstappen by just three-thousandths of a second.