FIA confirms minor change to 2026 qualifying format

The fine margins of Formula 1 rarely leave room for spare seconds – yet this season, the FIA... The post FIA confirms minor change to 2026 qualifying format appeared first on F1i.com.

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<p>The fine margins of Formula 1 rarely leave room for spare seconds – yet this season, the FIA...</p> <p>The post <a href="https://f1i.com/news/559931-fia-confirms-minor-change-to-2026-qualifying-format.html">FIA confirms minor change to 2026 qualifying format</a> appeared first on <a href="https://f1i.com">F1i.com</a>.</p>

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Related Regulations

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sporting Regulations

Art. B2.4.1

Art. B2.2.1

Hover over badges for quick summaries, or scroll down for full official text and simplified explanations.

Full Regulation Text

Sporting Regulations

Article B2.4.1

FIA Source

Race Qualifying Session

Chapter: B2

In Simple Terms

Qualifying is the session where drivers compete to determine their starting positions for the race. It normally happens on the second day of a Grand Prix weekend, either 2-3 hours after the final practice session (FP3) or 3-4 hours after the Sprint race, depending on the event format.

Qualifying determines the race grid order - your position in qualifying decides where you start the race
Standard format: held on day two, 2-3 hours after FP3 (free practice 3)
Alternative format: held on day two, 3-4 hours after Sprint race
Timing varies based on whether the weekend includes a Sprint race or follows the traditional format

Official FIA Text

Qualifying determines Race starting grid. Standard Format: second day, 2-3 hours after FP3. Alternative Format: second day, 3-4 hours after Sprint.

qualifyinggrid positionstarting gridqualifying sessionf1 qualifying

2026 Season Regulations

Sporting Regulations

Article B2.2.1

FIA Source

Sprint Qualifying Session

Chapter: B2

In Simple Terms

Sprint Qualifying is a short qualifying session that happens on Friday, about 2.5 to 3.5 hours after the first practice session ends. It determines the starting grid positions for the Sprint race that takes place later that day.