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Beginner path · Step 2How does an F1 race weekend work?
Here’s how a typical weekend runs. Times vary by location: check our race calendar for every session in your time zone.
Standard weekend
| Day | Session | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Practice 1 (60 min) | Learn the track, test parts |
| Friday | Practice 2 (60 min) | Long runs to simulate the race |
| Saturday | Practice 3 (60 min) | Final setup checks |
| Saturday | Qualifying | Sets the starting grid |
| Sunday | Grand Prix | The race, where points are scored |
Sprint weekend
Six weekends a season are sprint weekends. There’s less practice and more racing:
| Day | Session |
|---|---|
| Friday | Practice 1, then Sprint Qualifying |
| Saturday | Sprint (about 100 km), then Qualifying |
| Sunday | Grand Prix |
The Sprint pays points to the top eight. Its result doesn’t affect Sunday’s grid.
Race day, step by step
- Pit lane opens: cars leave the garage and drive to the grid.
- Formation lap: one slow lap to warm tyres and brakes.
- Lights out: five red lights come on one by one. When they all go out, the race starts.
- The race: usually 50–70 laps, with one or two pit stops for most drivers.
- Chequered flag: the top three go to the podium. Points go to the top 10.
Tips for new viewers
- Watch the pre-race show for 15 minutes. It explains each weekend’s storylines.
- Keep the live timing app open. It shows gaps and tyres better than TV does.
- Do a quick prediction before lights out. Having a stake makes everything more fun (that’s why we built The Grid).
FAQ
Which F1 sessions should I watch?
If you watch one, watch the race. If you watch two, add qualifying. Practice is mostly for die-hards and fantasy players.
How long is an F1 race?
Most races are just over 305 km and last around 90 minutes to two hours. Monaco is shorter. There's a two-hour limit on racing time.
Do practice sessions count for anything?
No points are awarded in practice. Teams use it to test setups, tyres and fuel loads.
How F1 qualifying works: Q1, Q2 and Q3 explained →
How Formula 1 qualifying sets the starting grid, how the knockout format works, and why pole position matters so much.
Keep reading
How F1 qualifying works: Q1, Q2 and Q3 explained
How Formula 1 qualifying sets the starting grid, how the knockout format works, and why pole position matters so much.
What is an F1 sprint race?
How F1 sprint weekends work: Sprint Qualifying, the 100 km Saturday race, points for the top eight, and why it doesn't set Sunday's grid.
How to watch F1: streaming and TV options by country
Where to watch Formula 1 live in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, and how F1 TV fits in.
📬 Race Week in 3 Minutes
One email before every race: when to watch in your time zone, the storylines that matter, and what to look out for. No jargon, no spam.