F1 Race Weekend Format: FP1 to Sunday’s Chequered Flag

Formula 1 grands prix take place over three days, but the on‑track schedule isn’t as simple as practice on Friday and racing on Sunday. In recent years the sport has experimented with sprint weekends that add an extra competitive session on Saturday and reduce practice time – and even the conventional “free practice–qualifying–race” format has its own intricacies. If you’re new to F1 or returning after a few seasons away, this guide explains exactly how a race weekend unfolds in 2025, starting with FP1 and ending with the chequered flag.

Standard weekends – three practice sessions, qualifying and race

Most of the 2025 F1 calendar uses the traditional three‑day format. On these weekends there are three one‑hour practice sessions and a knockout qualifying session before Sunday’s race. The FIA and Formula 1 emphasise that a typical grand prix weekend runs from Friday through Sunday. Each day serves a different purpose:

Friday: Free Practice 1 and Free Practice 2

On standard weekends, Friday features two one‑hour practice sessions. Free Practice 1 (FP1), usually held in the late morning or early afternoon, allows teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with the circuit and check that the cars work correctly. Mechanics use this session to verify that recent upgrades fit and function and to ensure that all systems are operating as expected. Because teams carry more than 250 sensors on each car and can generate over a terabyte of data across a weekend, FP1 is an important data‑gathering exercise. Free Practice 2 (FP2) takes place later on Friday and is the longest continuous running most teams get before qualifying. During FP2 drivers tend to simulate long race runs, test different fuel loads and complete qualifying simulations when track conditions permit. This session allows engineers to evaluate tyre degradation, fuel consumption and set‑up changes under more representative conditions.

Saturday morning: Free Practice 3 (FP3)

Free Practice 3 (FP3) is held on Saturday morning and is usually the final chance to refine the car set‑up before parc fermé conditions begin. The session lasts one hour, but teams often split it into short runs on different tyre compounds to prepare for qualifying. Because parc fermé rules come into effect after qualifying begins, FP3 represents the last opportunity to make large setup changes.

Saturday afternoon: Knockout Qualifying

The qualifying session on Saturday afternoon determines the starting grid for Sunday’s race. F1’s current qualifying format, introduced in 2006 and refined over the years, is divided into three timed segments – Q1 (18 minutes), Q2 (15 minutes) and Q3 (12 minutes). All 20 drivers participate in Q1; the slowest five are eliminated and fill grid positions 16–20. The remaining 15 cars move to Q2, where another five are knocked out and placed 11th–15th. The fastest ten progress to Q3 to fight for pole position. This knockout format adds tension because drivers must deliver a fast lap early in each segment to avoid elimination. The 2024/2025 qualifying procedure still uses the 107 % rule, which requires drivers to set a lap within 107 % of the fastest time in Q1 to guarantee a spot on the grid; however, this rule is rarely enforced because modern cars are closely matched.

Sunday: The Grand Prix

The main event of the weekend is the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. A typical F1 race covers at least 305 kilometres (190 miles); the number of laps is set so that the total distance slightly exceeds this figure. An exception is the Monaco Grand Prix, which runs to 260 kilometres due to its narrow street circuit.

Before the race the drivers conduct reconnaissance laps to check track conditions and then stop on the grid for final adjustments. After the national anthem they embark on a formation lap, weaving to heat their tyres and brakes before lining up again on the grid. The race begins when the five red lights extinguish simultaneously, sending the cars hurtling towards the first corner. During the race drivers must manage tyre wear, fuel loads and energy deployment. The FIA mandates that competitors use at least two different tyre compounds in dry races, ensuring at least one pit stop for a tyre change. Refuelling is banned, so teams plan their strategy around tyre wear and track position. Points are awarded to the top ten finishers on a 25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4–2–1 scale . There is no longer a bonus point for fastest lap, so the maximum score on a conventional weekend is 25 points for the winner.

Races must finish within two hours of running time; if there are red‑flag stoppages the total window cannot exceed three hours, ensuring the event does not drag on indefinitely. If heavy rain or accidents mean that less than 75 % of the scheduled distance is completed, half or three‑quarter points are awarded depending on how many laps are run. Although rare, these reduced points rules mean that perseverance can still pay off when weather intervenes.

Why there are three practice sessions

Three practice sessions might seem excessive, but they serve distinct purposes. FP1 is used to check that upgrades fit and to gather baseline data. FP2 allows teams to simulate race stints and explore tyre degradation. FP3 focuses on short runs to prepare for qualifying. Teams also use these sessions to give rookie drivers seat time; each driver must vacate their car for at least one FP1 session during the season, giving young prospects valuable mileage.

Sprint weekends – more action, less practice

To add variety and increase on‑track drama, Formula 1 introduced the sprint format in 2021. By 2024 and 2025 the sprint format had stabilised, with six sprint weekends scheduled in the 2025 season. Sprint weekends compress the build‑up, replacing two of the practice sessions with competitive sessions and offering extra points. In 2025 the sprint weekend looks like this:

Friday: Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying

On a sprint weekend there is only one hour‑long practice session on Friday, so teams must use simulation tools and data from previous years to arrive with a near‑optimal set‑up. Drivers cannot afford to make mistakes because setup time is at a premium. After FP1 the cars enter the first parc fermé period and teams cannot make major changes. Friday afternoon then hosts Sprint Qualifying, also known as the Sprint Shootout, which determines the grid for Saturday’s sprint race. Sprint Qualifying mirrors the knockout format but uses shorter sessions: SQ1 lasts 12 minutes, SQ2 lasts 10 minutes and SQ3 lasts eight minutes. As in standard qualifying the slowest five cars are eliminated after each segment, leaving ten to battle for Sprint pole. Because the sessions are short and there is little time for multiple runs, teams must use medium tyres for SQ1 and SQ2 and soft tyres for SQ3.

Saturday morning: the Sprint race

Saturday begins with the Sprint: a 100‑kilometre race – roughly one‑third the length of a Grand Prix. There are no mandatory pit stops, so drivers typically run flat out from lights to flag. The sprint winner does not take pole position for the Grand Prix; instead the sprint is a standalone race awarding points to the top eight finishers: 8 points for first place, then 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 for eighth. These points count toward both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships.

Saturday afternoon: Grand Prix Qualifying

Once the sprint finishes, the parc fermé period ends and teams can make more extensive setup changes. Later on Saturday, the standard qualifying session (Q1, Q2 and Q3) sets the grid for Sunday’s Grand Prix. In other words, the sprint does not determine the starting order for the Grand Prix – qualifying does. This separation means drivers can race hard in the sprint without worrying about compromising their starting position for Sunday.

Two parc fermé periods

The introduction of sprint weekends required a rethink of parc fermé rules. During a standard weekend, parc fermé starts at the beginning of qualifying and lasts until the start of the race. On sprint weekends there are two parc fermé phases:

1. From the start of Sprint Qualifying until the end of the Sprint. Teams cannot make significant changes during this window, although minor adjustments such as front‑wing angle are permitted.
2. From the start of Grand Prix Qualifying until the start of the race. After the sprint teams have a brief window to alter set‑up to suit the main race before parc fermé locks the cars down again.

This dual parc fermé arrangement gives teams greater flexibility to optimise for both the sprint and the Grand Prix. For example, they might set the car up for short‑run speed for the sprint and then shift to a more conservative race set‑up for Sunday.

Race procedures and rules – formation lap to chequered flag

Whether on a standard or sprint weekend, the Grand Prix is the centrepiece of the event. After qualifying, cars are kept under parc fermé conditions until two hours before the race, when mechanics can remove tyre blankets and perform last‑minute checks. Drivers often have to complete at least one reconnaissance lap to evaluate track conditions and warm up their tyres and brakes. They then line up on the grid for the national anthem, after which the team members clear the grid and the driver begins the formation lap. The formation lap is used to generate tyre and brake temperature and to check that clutch and engine settings are correct. The race start sequence is controlled by the Race Director. When all cars are lined up and stationary, five red lights illuminate sequentially. Once all lights go out simultaneously, the race begins. Jumping the start – moving before the lights go out – usually results in a time penalty. Modern F1 cars accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h in roughly five seconds, so a good launch can gain several positions.

Pit stops and tyre rules

Pirelli supplies five dry‑weather tyre compounds (C1 to C5) and two wet tyres (intermediate and full wet). On standard weekends, teams receive 13 sets of dry tyres. For sprint weekends, the allocation is slightly different to account for the extra competitive session. Drivers must use at least two different dry‑weather tyre compounds during the Grand Prix, ensuring at least one pit stop. Tyre strategy is critical because softer compounds provide more grip but wear more quickly, while harder tyres are durable but slower. In rainy conditions drivers can fit intermediates or full wets; there is no requirement to use multiple wet compounds.

Safety cars and red flags

If there is a crash, debris on the track or severe weather, the Race Director may deploy the Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car (VSC). When the Safety Car is on track, drivers must maintain a specific delta time and are not allowed to overtake until racing resumes. If conditions become dangerous or repairs are required, the race can be red‑flagged; in this case all cars return to the pit lane. The race clock stops during red‑flag periods, but the three‑hour total window still applies. If a race cannot be restarted within the time limit, the result is taken from the last completed lap and points are awarded accordingly.

Points system – rewarding consistency and pace

Grand Prix points

The top ten finishers in a Grand Prix score points on the familiar 25–18–15–12–10–8–6–4–2–1 scale. This rewards winners handsomely but still provides incentives for lower positions. Constructors score the combined total of their two drivers’ points. A fastest‑lap point was awarded in 2019–2024 but has been removed for 2025, simplifying the system.

Sprint points

The sprint awards points to the top eight finishers: 8–7–6–5–4–3–2–1. These points count equally toward the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings. Because sprint points represent about one‑third of a race win, drivers and teams treat the sprint seriously without compromising their Sunday prospects. With six sprint weekends in 2025, a driver can collect up to 48 extra points over the season.

Reduced points for shortened races

If less than 75 % of the scheduled distance is completed, reduced points are awarded. When at least two racing laps are completed but less than 25 % of the race distance, only the top five are rewarded; at least 25 % but less than 50 % sees points to the top nine; at least 50 % but less than 75 % gives points to the top ten. These nuances ensure that drivers still have something to fight for even when races are cut short.

How F1 weekend formats evolved

The modern F1 weekend has been shaped by decades of experimentation. In the 1950s drivers simply set times in two one‑hour sessions on Friday and Saturday, and the fastest lap took pole position. One‑lap qualifying experiments in 2003–2005 and a brief elimination format in 2016 were tried and abandoned. The current knockout system returned after fan backlash and has remained since 2016.

Sprint weekends were introduced in 2021 as a way to add excitement and variety. Initially the sprint result set the grid for the Grand Prix, but from 2023 onward the sprint became a standalone event. Adjustments in 2024 and 2025 increased parc fermé flexibility and formalised Sprint Qualifying with its own tyre rules. While some fans argue that sprint weekends dilute the special nature of Sunday, many appreciate the extra racing and the strategic challenge of optimising the car for two distinct formats.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Sprint replace Qualifying?

No. Sprint Qualifying determines the grid for the sprint, not the Grand Prix. On sprint weekends, a traditional qualifying session on Saturday afternoon still sets the starting order for Sunday.

Do sprint weekends award more points overall?

Yes. In addition to the usual 25 points for the race winner, drivers can score up to 8 points in the sprint, meaning a maximum of 33 points in a sprint weekend. With six sprints in 2025, these additional points could influence the championship.

How are rookie drivers integrated into race weekends?

Each team must give a rookie driver at least one FP1 session during the season. This requirement is aimed at nurturing young talent and giving them real‑world experience in F1 machinery.

Can teams change engines or gearboxes between sessions?

Teams operate under strict component allocations. Changing a power unit or gearbox outside of designated allowances results in grid penalties. On sprint weekends, the limited running makes reliability more critical because repairs often mean missing valuable track time.

Conclusion – why understanding the weekend format matters

The way Formula 1 weekends are structured has a profound effect on strategy, driver preparation and the viewing experience. Standard weekends feature three one‑hour practice sessions, a three‑segment qualifying session and a race covering roughly 305 km, with points paid to the top ten. Sprint weekends, used at six events in 2025, compress practice to a single hour and add a 100 km sprint race, with its own qualifying session and points. The dual parc fermé periods and tyre regulations make sprint weekends a unique challenge.

For fans following along at home or trackside, knowing the sequence of FP1, FP2, FP3, qualifying, sprint sessions and the Grand Prix helps make sense of TV schedules and commentary. For teams and drivers, the format influences everything from simulation work to risk‑reward calculations. As F1 continues to evolve, understanding the nuances of a race weekend ensures you won’t miss any of the action from the first practice laps to the moment the chequered flag waves on Sunday.