FIA Adjusts F1 Qualifying Rules For 22-Car 2026 Grid

The FIA has officially tweaked Formula 1's qualifying format to accommodate the expanded 22-car grid set for the 2026 season following Cadillac's entry. While the core three-part knockout structure remains, the number of drivers eliminated in the early sessions will increase, ensuring the final Q1 shootout for pole position still features the top 10 contenders.

Why it matters:

With the grid expanding to 22 cars for the first time in years, these adjustments are crucial for maintaining the competitive integrity and flow of qualifying. The changes ensure that the session remains a fair and exciting spectacle, preventing overcrowding on track while preserving the high-stakes, single-lap drama that defines the fight for pole position.

The details:

• The traditional three-part qualifying format (Q1, Q2, Q3) is preserved, with session lengths remaining unchanged at 18, 15, and 12 minutes respectively.
• Elimination Numbers: The key change is in the number of drivers knocked out in the first two segments. For a 22-car field, six drivers will be eliminated after both Q1 and Q2.
  • This is a shift from the current format, which eliminates five drivers in Q1 and five in Q2 from a 20-car field.
• Q3 Unchanged: The final 12-minute session will continue to feature the top 10 drivers battling for pole position, maintaining its intense, high-pressure format.
• Sprint Qualifying: The same principle will apply to the shorter Sprint qualifying sessions, with six drivers eliminated in SQ1 and SQ2 to set up a 10-car SQ3 shootout.

What's next:

These regulatory updates are part of a broader package of changes for the 2026 season, which will also feature new power unit regulations and other sporting adjustments. The new qualifying format will debut at the first race of the 2026 season, where teams and drivers will adapt their strategies to the slightly different dynamics of a larger grid fighting for a spot in the top 10.