In 2026, Formula 1 qualifying is a three-stage knockout: all 22 eligible cars start in Q1, the slowest six drop out, another six are eliminated in Q2, and the remaining 10 fight for pole in Q3. Under the FIA’s 2026 Sporting Regulations, the sessions last 18, 15 and 12 minutes respectively. The stages rank the provisional Grand Prix grid from first to 22nd.
How Q1, Q2 and Q3 work
Each stage is a timed session. Drivers try to set their fastest lap before the clock expires, and the slowest drivers in that stage are knocked out. Drivers who advance start the next stage with a clean slate for its classification: the time that ranks them is their best lap in the stage where they are eliminated or, for Q3 drivers, their Q3 time.
| Stage | Cars taking part | Duration | What happens | Provisional positions determined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 22 | 18 minutes | Six slowest are eliminated; 16 advance. | 17th–22nd, using Q1 times |
| Q2 | 16 | 15 minutes | Six slowest are eliminated; 10 advance. | 11th–16th, using Q2 times |
| Q3 | 10 | 12 minutes | Remaining drivers compete for the top 10 places. | 1st–10th, using Q3 times |
These times and elimination counts are set by the FIA’s 2026 Sporting Regulations, Section B, Issue 05, dated 27 February 2026 (FIA regulations, Section B). The 22-car field and six-car eliminations are also explained by Formula 1’s 2026 regulations guide.
What each stage decides
Q1: the first cut
All 22 eligible cars may take part in the 18-minute opening session. The six slowest are eliminated. In the normal classification, those drivers occupy positions 17 through 22, ordered by their Q1 times. The other 16 move on.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11#1 Best Overall
- The UNO game players love races onto the scene with iconic images from the world of F1 racing and its celebrated drivers!
- Gameplay matches the classic card game where players match colors and numbers to get rid of all their cards!
- The special "Overtake" rule lets players add to a special pile -- but each card must be higher in value than the last or they'll have to draw the entire pile!
- Don't forget to yell "UNO!" when down to the last card!
- Designed for 2 to 10 players ages 7 years and older, the collectible card game makes a timeless gift for fans of F1 racing.
Q2: the second cut
The 16 drivers who advance have 15 minutes to set a faster time. The six slowest in Q2 are eliminated and ranked 11th through 16th using their Q2 times. The remaining 10 qualify for Q3.
Q3: the pole-position shoot-out
The final 10 drivers have 12 minutes to set a lap. Their Q3 times determine positions 1 through 10; the fastest earns pole position, subject to any grid penalties or other sporting decisions that affect the starting order.
Rank #2
- INTENSE CAR RACING: HEAT: Pedal to the Metal puts you in the driver's seat of thrilling car races. Race, jockey for position, and make strategic moves to outmaneuver your opponents and be the first to cross the finish line.
- MANAGE YOUR CAR: It's not just about speed; it's about managing your car's heat. Push your vehicle to its limits without overheating. Balance speed and engine temperature to maintain peak performance.
- UPGRADE AND CUSTOMIZE: Choose the right upgrades for your car to tackle curves and maintain cool engine temperatures. Customize your vehicle before each race to gain an edge and secure victory.
- CHAMPIONSHIP SYSTEM: Experience a whole season in one game night with the "Championship System." Upgrade your car between races, adapt to changing weather and road conditions, and aim for the championship title.
- SOLO AND MULTIPLAYER: Enjoy a solo gaming experience with the Legends Module or compete with friends. Add automated drivers as opponents in multiplayer games for added excitement.
How qualifying times become the provisional grid
A driver’s time in an earlier stage does not carry forward to rank them among later-stage qualifiers. Q3 participants are ordered by their best Q3 laps, Q2 eliminations by their best Q2 laps, and Q1 eliminations by their best Q1 laps. If two drivers set identical times in the same qualifying period, the driver who set the time first receives priority under the FIA regulations.
This produces the qualifying classification, not necessarily the final race-start order. Grid penalties and other sporting decisions can change a driver’s eventual starting position after qualifying.
Rank #3
- Race into game night with the UNO Elite Formula 1 2025 Core Edition card game where Elite Action Cards add extra thrills to classic UNO game play
- The set comes with 112 UNO cards, 4 Game Booster Packs (with 10 Elite Action Cards per pack) and 2 Promo Cards
- Each UNO player creates their own 'Lineup' from the 8 Elite Action Cards they are dealt -- Elite Action Cards feature Formula 1 drivers, cars, helmets, circuits, team principals and reserve drivers
- Gameplay matches the classic card game with the action and excitement of Formula 1 racing
- Players simply play a card of matching color with an Elite icon on it to unlock the power of an Elite Action Card
Why the 2026 format eliminates six cars
The 2026 regulations provide for a 22-car field. With six cars removed after Q1 and six more after Q2, 10 remain for Q3. The FIA’s regulations establish the counts; Formula 1’s 2026 guide connects the adjustment to the expanded field and 11 teams.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Q3 lasts 12 minutes under the cited 2026 FIA rules
Some Formula 1 editorial explainers list Q3 as 13 minutes, including the beginner’s regulations guide and its 2026 rule-change explainer. However, the operative wording in the FIA’s 2026 Sporting Regulations, Issue 05, and the Formula 1 glossary give Q3 as 12 minutes. This explanation follows the FIA regulation’s 12-minute value (Formula 1 glossary).
Rank #4
- MONOPOLY FORMULA 1: We join the world of Formula 1 racing with the officially licensed Monopoly F1 game. This game contains tokens car and helmet for the 11 Formula 1 stables, the 24 races of the 2026 season and a unique Monopoly GRAND PRICE deck
- 11 tokens Auto F1: Manage your favourite stable of Formula 1. There are 11 zinc racing car tiles with matching stable mats and plastic pilot helmets to choose from
- 24 INTERNATIONAL RACES: In this Monopoly game, the features are iconic races across the globe. You take on as many races as possible and fight the opponents who stop there by throwing the dice to win points
- Run in two masters: there are 2 ways to win! You must finish the Monopoly Grand Prix first to win the Drivers' Championship. And the player with the most points at the end of the game wins the Constructor Championship
- Using strategy and "building" cars: players can use the car cards to collect coins and improve their cars. These improvements help players run in the Monopoly GRAND PRICE
Standard qualifying is different from Sprint Qualifying
Standard qualifying sets the Grand Prix starting grid. Sprint Qualifying—usually labeled SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3—is a separate knockout session that sets the Sprint grid and uses shorter stages. The weekend’s exact schedule depends on whether it is a Sprint weekend; Formula 1’s beginner’s guide to the F1 weekend describes the different weekend sequence. For the applicable timings and rules, the FIA regulations are authoritative.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
