Q1

Q1 is the first round of qualifying in motorsports like Formula 1 and MotoGP, where all drivers compete to set fast lap times and avoid elimination before the race.

In modern Formula 1 racing, qualifying determines where each driver starts on the grid for race day. Instead of one long session, qualifying is split into three separate rounds called Q1, Q2, and Q3. Think of it like a tournament where drivers must advance through each round to compete for the best starting positions.

During Q1, all twenty drivers head out onto the track with one goal: don't be one of the five slowest. The session typically lasts 18 minutes, giving drivers multiple chances to complete fast laps. Each driver's best lap time is what counts, so they'll often do several attempts to improve their position.

At the end of Q1, the five drivers with the slowest lap times are eliminated from qualifying. These drivers will start the race from positions 16th through 20th, with their exact positions determined by how they ranked in Q1. The fastest of the eliminated drivers starts 16th, while the slowest starts 20th.

The remaining fifteen drivers advance to Q2, where the process repeats with another elimination round. Importantly, lap times from Q1 don't carry over to the next session, so everyone starts fresh in Q2.

There's also a critical rule called the 107% rule. To qualify for the race, drivers must set a lap time within 107% of the fastest time recorded in Q1. For example, if the quickest driver completes a lap in 80 seconds, everyone else must finish within 85.6 seconds. Drivers who fail to meet this standard may not be allowed to race, though exceptions can be made in special circumstances.

Strategy plays a huge role in Q1. Teams must decide which tires to use, balancing the need for speed against saving their best tires for later rounds or the race itself. Sometimes teams will use older tires from practice sessions if they're confident about advancing, preserving fresh tires for when they really need them.

Weather can completely change Q1 strategy. If rain is expected later, teams might push hard early. If the track is wet but drying, waiting until the end of the session when grip improves can be the smart move. Traffic is another challenge—getting stuck behind slower cars can ruin a fast lap, so timing when to leave the pit lane matters greatly.

For top teams, Q1 is usually straightforward since their cars are fast enough to advance comfortably. However, for midfield and slower teams, Q1 is intense and crucial, as every tenth of a second can mean the difference between advancing or starting near the back of the grid.