Race Weekend Rundown: What Happens from Friday to Sunday
A stylish guide to understanding the three-day spectacle of a Formula 1 race weekend
If Fashion Week has runways, Formula 1 has race weekends — three-day events full of drama, data, and nail-biting action. But what exactly happens each day? Let's break it down like your weekend glam routine.
Friday: Practice Makes Precision
Friday kicks off with two Free Practice sessions. Think of them as "dress rehearsals" for the big show. Teams test setups, drivers learn track conditions, and data is gathered for tire wear, fuel use, and car balance.
Each driver can also swap out for a rookie in one of these sessions — so keep an eye out for fresh faces on the track.
Saturday: The Sprint or Qualifying
On a standard weekend, Saturday features a final practice and then Qualifying — a timed shootout that determines the starting order for Sunday's race. The format is:
- Q1: 20 drivers → fastest 15 advance
- Q2: 15 drivers → fastest 10 advance
- Q3: Top 10 fight for pole position
On Sprint weekends, qualifying moves to Friday, and Saturday hosts a short 100km Sprint Race. It's fast, chaotic, and offers points to the top 8 finishers.
Sunday: The Main Event
This is the day everything builds toward — Race Day. Drivers line up based on qualifying (or Sprint) results and battle for the win across 50–70 laps depending on the circuit.
It's two hours of strategy, overtakes, tire changes, and edge-of-your-seat energy. Bonus: race start times are friendly for brunch viewing in many time zones.
Style Tip:
Each track has its own vibe. Monaco is glam. Austin is bold. Suzuka is sleek. So dress the part — and don't forget sunnies and ear protection if you're trackside!