Q1 Q2 Q3 in F1 Qualifying: What Each Stage Means

Q1, Q2, and Q3 are the three stages of Formula 1 knockout qualifying. In Q1, all 20 drivers compete for 18 minutes and the five slowest are eliminated. In Q2, the remaining 15 drivers compete for 15 minutes and five more are knocked out. In Q3, the top ten battle for pole position over 12 minutes. Drivers who are eliminated in Q1 start the race from position 16 to 20; those knocked out in Q2 start from 11 to 15. Tyre rules also differ between stages.

Example: He’s only 17th in Q1 — he really needs to improve on his next lap or he’s out of qualifying entirely.