Scope and practical meaning
Both columns use the same edition. Sprint results do not set the Race grid. Shorter qualifying segments leave less preparation time. Safety-car formation laps can reduce scheduled distances.
This draft compares selected session provisions, not every event regulation. Consult the FIA rulebook and event instructions before applying it.
See also qualifying and Sprint rules.
Governing source
Rules side by side
| Situation | FIA · 2026 Formula 1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting], Issue 09 · FIA Formula One Grand Prix: Race and Qualifying. | FIA · 2026 Formula 1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting], Issue 09 · FIA Formula One Sprint: Sprint and Sprint Qualifying. |
|---|---|---|
| Session scheduling | Race: third day of track running. | Sprint: second day, at Alternative Format Competitions. |
| Scheduled racing distance | Minimum whole laps exceeding 305 km; Monaco: 260 km. | Minimum whole laps exceeding 100 km. |
| Grid-setting session | Qualifying determines the Race grid, subject to penalties and fallback procedures. | Sprint Qualifying determines the Sprint grid, subject to penalties and fallback procedures. |
| Qualifying segment durations | Q1/Q2/Q3: 18/15/13 minutes. | SQ1/SQ2/SQ3: 12/10/8 minutes. |
| Classification similarity | Minimum laps: 90% of the winner's laps, rounded down. | Same minimum-lap threshold. |
Rule editions and sources
- FIA · 2026 Formula 1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting], Issue 09 · FIA Formula One Grand Prix: Race and Qualifying. — FIA 2026 F1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting] — Issue 09
- FIA · 2026 Formula 1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting], Issue 09 · FIA Formula One Sprint: Sprint and Sprint Qualifying. — FIA 2026 F1 Regulations — Section B [Sporting] — Issue 09