With Cadillac becoming a member of the grid for the 2026 Formulation 1 season, there will probably be 22 vehicles on the grid, two greater than we’re presently used to. Due to this, qualifying will see a small change to incorporate the additional two vehicles. That is what you have to know.
F1’s 2026 qualifying format will nonetheless have the acquainted three-part knockout construction that we’re all accustomed to. With a bigger grid this 12 months, slight modifications have been made to make sure the combat for pole in Q3 nonetheless contains simply 10 vehicles.
Underneath the FIA’s 2026 sporting rules, qualifying remains to be break up into Q1, Q2 and Q3, with the identical timed run plan.
Q1 lasts 18 minutes, adopted by a seven-minute break. Q2 will run for quarter-hour with one other seven-minute break, and Q3 will final 12 minutes with an eight-minute break. What’s completely different is the lower line.
The rules clarify that the “process detailed on this Article relies upon twenty (20) Vehicles being formally eligible”, however then add the scaling clause: “If twenty-two (22) Vehicles are eligible six (6) will probably be eradicated after Q1 and Q2.”
So with 22 vehicles, that is what the format will appear like:
Session
Length
Vehicles taking part (22-car grid)
Eradicated at finish of session
Vehicles advancing
Grid positions determined
Q1
18 minutes
22
6 slowest
16
P17–P22 (primarily based on quickest Q1 instances amongst eradicated)
Q2
quarter-hour
16
6 slowest
10
P11–P16 (primarily based on quickest Q2 instances amongst eradicated)
Q3
12 minutes
10
None
N/A
P1–P10 (primarily based on quickest Q3 instances)
The sporting rules verify that lap instances achieved by the remaining vehicles will then be deleted on the finish of Q1, and this identical rule applies to Q2 when the sphere is lowered as soon as once more. Identical to 2025, there isn’t any banking a greater time in a earlier part.
Dash qualifying sees the identical modifications, albeit with shorter periods.
With 22 vehicles on the grid, we’re not seeing a reinvented qualifying. Whereas six drivers will probably be eradicated in Q1 and Q2, the format nonetheless funnels the highest 10 vehicles into Q3 for a standard combat for pole.
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Staff
