| A Formula One Grand Prix event spans an entire | | | | two 15-minute sessions, cars may run any fuel |
| weekend, beginning with two free practices on | | | | load and drivers knocked out after those sessions |
| Friday, and one free practice on Saturday. Third | | | | may refuel ahead of the race. However, the |
| drivers are allowed to run on Fridays, but only | | | | top-ten drivers must begin the final 15-minute |
| two cars may be used per team. After these | | | | session with the fuel load on which they plan to |
| practice sessions, a qualifying session is held. | | | | start the race. They will be weighed before they |
| The format of this qualifying session has been | | | | leave the pits. Whatever fuel they use in the 15 |
| through several iterations since 2003. Attempts | | | | minutes may be replaced at the end of the |
| were made to reinvigorate interest in the | | | | session provided that the laps they complete are |
| qualifying session by using a "one-shot" system in | | | | all within 110% of their best session time; outlaps |
| which each driver would take turns on an empty | | | | (a lap that started in the pitlane) and inlaps (a lap |
| track to set their one and only time. | | | | that ended in the pitlane) are permitted to be no |
| For the 2006 season a knockout qualifying | | | | more than 120% of the driver's best session |
| system was introduced. The FIA revised the | | | | time. Any fuel for a lap outside of the 110% time |
| 2006 procedures starting with Round 11, the 2006 | | | | will not be replaced. As with the first two 15 |
| French Grand Prix.[7] In the first phase, all 22 cars | | | | minute sessions, if a driver starts a timed lap |
| are permitted on the track for a 15-minute | | | | before the chequered flag falls for the 15 minute |
| qualification session. Only their fastest time will | | | | session, their time will count even if they cross |
| count and drivers may complete as many laps as | | | | the finish line after the session has ended. |
| they wish. In the original format, the clocks were | | | | The race begins with a warm-up formation lap, |
| stopped immediately at the end of the session, | | | | after which the cars assemble on the starting grid |
| which meant that drivers on a timed lap did not | | | | in the order they qualified. If a driver stalls before |
| have their time registered once the 15 minutes | | | | the parade lap, and the rest of the field passes |
| were up. From Round 11, any car running a timed | | | | him, then he must start from the back of the |
| lap at the time of the chequered flag is entitled to | | | | grid. As long as he moves off and at least one |
| complete the lap. The slowest six cars can take | | | | car is behind him, he can retake his original |
| no further part in qualifying, these cars will make | | | | position. A racer may also elect to start from |
| up the last six grid positions in the order of their | | | | pit-lane if he has any last minute problems with |
| times. | | | | the car. If they choose to do this, they must wait |
| The times for the sixteen remaining cars are | | | | for all cars to pass pit-lane before they may begin |
| reset for the next 15-minute session. In the | | | | the race. |
| original format, the clocks were stopped | | | | A light system above the track then signals the |
| immediately at the end of the session. From | | | | start of the race. Races are a little over 305 |
| Round 11, cars running timed laps at the | | | | kilometres (190 miles) long and are limited to two |
| chequered flag are allowed to complete the lap. | | | | hours, though in practice they usually last about |
| The slowest six cars will make up the grid in | | | | ninety minutes. Throughout the race, drivers may |
| positions 11 to 16 in the order of their times. | | | | make one or more pit stops in order to refuel |
| The times for the ten remaining cars will be reset | | | | and change tyres. Drivers have access to seven |
| for the next session. The shootout session lasted | | | | sets of dry-weather tyres, four sets of |
| 20 minutes under the original regulations, changed | | | | wet-weather tyres and three sets of |
| to 15 minutes from Round 11. For the final period, | | | | extreme-weather tyres for the entire weekend. |
| the cars will be arranged on the grid in positions | | | | Drivers must choose the dry-weather compound |
| one to ten in the order of their times. In the first | | | | they will use for the race ahead of qualifying. |