F1 qualifying how does it work

First place scores three points, second place scores two points, and third place scores one point. Unlike the full-length race on Sunday there will be no podiums for sprint races, however the winner will receive a trophy in parc ferme similar to how the polesitter gets a miniature Pirelli tyre for qualifying first. Outside of the monetary aspect, if a car suffers damage during a sprint race then teams will have to replace the broken parts with like-for-like parts.

This is because the cars enter parc ferme conditions — the point at which major changes can no longer be made — when they enter qualifying on Friday. If the races are a success then they may well be continued into the season and beyond, though F1 does not intend to run them at every race. Reaction to the sprint races has been largely positive, with drivers and teams excited about the new format.

In the Bahrain F2 round, Leclerc opted to pit during the sprint race — pitting being optional and a little-used tactic in sprint races — coming out of the pits in 14th place with eight laps to go.

Over the remaining laps he charged to the front of the field, taking the win and creating one of the most exciting sprint races in the process. It has been a tricky past few races for Sergio Perez. The Red Bull driver has mustered just 16 points since the British Grand Prix in July and the team's constructors' championship chances have taken a hit.

Yet the Mexican remains optimistic that he has all the tools he needs to turn his performances around. But he came into the weekend with a streak of recent crashes hanging over him.

The technical directive issued by Formula 1 to reduce levels of automation in pitstops has given teams an unwelcome period of adjustment. Although safety was the primary goal, it has already had a significant impact on the title race and puts extra pressure on teams to deliver as the season reaches the business end.

The Russian GP was decided by late-arriving rain that allowed some to climb and caused others to plummet. But the events which played out beforehand are equally significant when considering the all-important driver ratings. Until rain turned the Russian Grand Prix on its head in the closing stages, Lando Norris was set to convert his first Formula 1 pole position into a maiden win.

But having recovered well from being shuffled back at the start, Hamilton and his Mercedes team called the changing conditions spot-on for a landmark th F1 victory. At the Italian Grand Prix Daniel Ricciardo turned around a troubled F1 season and, in F2, Oscar Piastri demonstrated once again that he is a potential star of the future. Tickets Subscribe. Sign in. Registration Sign in Facebook connect. All me. Once the fastest times have all been set, the starting grid for the Sprint Race is determined.

Teams will then get one further practice session ahead of the Sprint Qualifying race on Saturday. Grid formation and start procedures are identical to the full-length grand prix, though drivers do not have to pit for tyres during the Qualifying Sprint race. There is no podium ceremony for the Sprint Qualifying race, and only the top three finishing drivers score points: three points for a win, two points for second place and one point for third.

If first practice or Qualifying on Friday is wet, the teams will receive an additional set of intermediate tyres. However, they must return a set of used intermediates ahead of Sprint Qualifying on Saturday.

No decision has been made yet as to whether Sprint Qualifying races will take place during the season, either as a permanent fixture or at certain tracks. It is thought that if Sprint Qualifying races do get the green light for the season, they will only appear at selected races. A total of three Sprint Qualifying races are taking place this season.

Q1: For the first 20 minutes Q1 , all 20 cars on the track try to set the fastest time. The slowest five cars are eliminated, earning the bottom grid positions. Drivers are allowed to complete as many laps as they want during this short space of time. Q2: During the next 15 minutes of action, the 15 remaining cars do another round, their previous lap times having been cancelled. The slowest five cars are eliminated and take the grid positions 11 to The remaining drivers progress through to the top 10, where pole position is decided.

Q3: Then in the last ten minutes, the 10 last cars fight for the pole position, or No. The cars complete several laps of the tracks, usually completing two runs during the 10 minutes before the final grid is decided.