Race weekends · Updated for 2026
F1 Sprint Qualifying explained
How the short SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3 knockout sessions establish the starting order for the Sprint.
Quick answer
Sprint Qualifying is a three-part knockout competition that sets the Sprint grid. The slowest drivers are eliminated after SQ1 and SQ2, leaving the remaining drivers to fight for first place in SQ3.
The knockout sequence
All eligible cars begin in SQ1. The slowest group drops out, the survivors advance to SQ2, and the final group progresses to SQ3 to settle the leading Sprint positions.
Why it feels compressed
Sprint Qualifying sessions are shorter than the equivalent Grand Prix qualifying segments. Traffic, track evolution and deleted laps therefore leave less recovery time.
A separate grid
The result establishes the provisional Sprint order, not the Grand Prix grid. Grand Prix qualifying remains a separate competition later in the weekend.