P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1 2026 Regulations: What are the new qualifying rules?
In the 2026 F1 regulations, qualifying will see a slight change to accommodate the addition of Cadillac, bringing the grid to 11 teams and 22 drivers. The qualifying format will retain its three-part knockout structure (Q1, Q2, and Q3) with adjusted timings for each session. The fight for pole position will remain among the top 10 drivers in Q3, but the cut-off line for eliminations after Q1 and Q2 will change with six cars being eliminated in each. Sprint qualifying will follow a similar structure with shortened sessions. Overall, the adjustments aim to streamline the qualification process without significantly altering the essence of the competition. The 2026 F1 season kicks off in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix, with the first qualifying session scheduled for Saturday, March 7, at 4pm local time.
