The Grand Prix Weekend

Formula One is highlighter as the pinnacle of motorsport racing but when you take a step back and take a good look at what is included in a grand prix weekend, only a fraction of the time is used to race.

The grand prix weekend is essentially broken dawn into three sections. First being the free practices. Second is qualifier and third, the race it's self.

When trying to fully explain why the FIA has broken it down into these separate running times, the easiest way would be to explain it through the eyes of a rookie driver.

Coming from a different series, the rookie driver may never had raced the track before.  When free practice comes along, the rookie driver will use it for just that, practice. 

The rookie driver will take the time to learn the circuit. Learn the apex's and when it is most beneficial to open the throttle and 'gun it'.  While the rookie driver is on circuit learning, his team and crew are in the pits taking every point mentioned to heart and setting up the cars for maximum speed and power. Both team and driver are well aware that free practice is not just about learning but it is also beneficial that the car (and driver) are raced and obtain a quick lap time.

The second part of a grand prix weekend is qualifier. This session is thought by some to be the most important part of the weekend. Others are believing that qualifier is no longer needed.  The debate will endure but we are here to explain just what it is about.

As like the weekend it's self, qualifier is broken down into three parts.  First qualifier (Q1) is set up primarily for all 24 cars to run and see if all 24 cars will participate in the race.  With Q1, top driver and time sets a bench mark and the remaining 23 drivers have to qualify within 107% or stand the chance of being disqualified. This is why it is so pertinent that the times in free practice reflect the race times (so the team and driver can be exempted from the 107% Grid Rule and be allowed to race).

Second qualifier (Q2) is essentially run to break down the remaining drivers into two sets. The top ten (for the final qualifier) and 'the rest'.

Finally, after both Q1 and Q2, the third and final qualifier is run. Q3 is run to determine the starting order to the race.  The qualifiers are broken down like this as it is necessary for top teams to be able to have a clear and open track for the drivers to push the cars to their max.

Through history, all formats of qualifying have been run (single cars all the way to full field fighting) and none have the same impact as the current format. Though there are multiple rules and regulations, teams are able to find ways over their competitors to obtain a few extra kmh out of their engines, get their exhausts to assist in finding extra down force. Qualifiers will always be needed to separate the field and allow teams to gain the fullest advantage.

With both practice and qualifier run, Sunday is the day every fan marks on their calendar.

As a fan, if you are heading out to a Grand Prix weekend, I strongly recommend that you get the three day pass. Whether it be just for the idea of being able to watch the amazing technical feats being displayed before you and their drivers or just beating the lines to your favourite teams merchandise stand to buy the illusive fan apparel.

No matter how hard you try to break down exactly what a Grand Prix weekend consists of, or even why it takes a full three days, no one can explain it better than the fans themselves!

"all circuits are different & cars behave differently on each circuit practice = allows teams to find best set up" - Amy J.

"Technically there are four practice sessions, the last of which is used to determine the starting positions for the race the three Free Practice sessions are used to evaluate different mechanical setup options and try different tyres." - Paul B.

"More pleasure for the fans ;-)" - Marie C.

"In very basic terms. The practise sessions are used to set up the car for that circuit. And the qualifier is to set up the starting order. Simple. :)" - Rick E.

"The free practices give the drivers and teams to try out any new set ups/upgrades to their car and qualifying is where the drivers try and set their fastest time than their rivals. The slowest 7 drop out of q1 7 in q2 then the top 10 drivers with the faster times try and get pole position for the race in q3" - Daniel W.

"The 3 free practice sessions allow the teams to trial and compare new upgrades for the car. It also allows the teams to run multiple laps with a heavier fuel loads than qualifying in order to gauge things like tire wear, which helps them build their strategy for the race on Sunday." - Mohamed A.

"get more data and setup for the car (1 or 2 FP sessions area used to promote their test driver / pay driver due to sponsorship for those team with low fund) Q = Determine the order on the grid" - Chan Y.

"3 free practices - for the drivers to learn the circuit and for the teams to experiment with their cars to figure out the best settings for the particular track qualifying session takes place to determine the running order at the beginning of the race" - Monika V. 

"The practice sessions are where the other teams look as though they could be fast and the qualifying session is where Vettel proves them not so ;)" - Louise W.

"They got nothing else to do ;-)" - Gisela L.