P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Formula 1 qualifying remains the best chance to see the F1 drivers and cars at their very limit, but how does it work?
In Formula 1 qualifying, the three-part session progressively narrows down the field to determine the starting grid positions. Q1 lasts for 18 minutes and eliminates the five slowest drivers, setting the positions for 16th to 20th on the grid. Q2 follows with a time limit of 15 minutes, eliminating five more drivers and determining the positions from 11th to 15th.
The remaining top 10 drivers advance to Q3, a 12-minute showdown for pole position. The driver with the fastest lap time in this session starts from the first position on the grid for the grand prix.
During qualifying, the cars enter ‘parc ferme’, meaning teams cannot make significant changes to the car’s setup. It is crucial for each driver to have their car well-prepared before qualifying, as any adjustments can only be very minor. Breaking ‘parc ferme’ results in a pitlane start for the driver in question.
