Overview
- FIA sporting regulations keep the three-part format with 18/15/12-minute sessions and change eliminations to drop six cars in Q1 and six in Q2, leaving 10 for Q3.
- Sprint qualifying is shortened to 12/10/8 minutes for the six sprint events on the 2026 calendar.
- Lap times cannot be carried over between qualifying segments, ensuring each phase is run on its own merits.
- The season begins in Melbourne on March 6–8 and spans 24 rounds, according to the calendar posted by F1’s official X account.
- F1 also released 2026 car reveal dates starting January 15, with most teams scheduled and McLaren’s date still to be confirmed, as Cadillac joins to make it 11 teams and 22 drivers.