F1 2026 QUALIFYING EXPLAINED: WHAT CHANGES WITH 22 CARS ON THE GRID AND WHY IT MATTERS FOR LEWIS
The 2026 Formula 1 season marks the start of a bold new era for the sport. New technical regulations, new power units, active aerodynamics, and now a bigger grid. With Cadillac officially joining Formula 1, the grid expands from 20 cars to 22 cars for the first time in years. That single change alone has a knock-on effect across the entire weekend, especially when it comes to qualifying. For fans, qualifying has always been one of the purest tests in F1. No strategy tricks, no tyre management over long stints, just raw pace over one lap. For drivers like Lewis, qualifying has often been the foundation of race success throughout his legendary F1 career. So when the grid grows and the format adjusts, it matters. The good news is that F1 has not tried to reinvent the wheel. The familiar three-part knockout qualifying system remains. The changes are subtle, but important, and they will shape how teams, drivers, and fans experience Saturdays in 2026. The Familiar Three-Part Qualifying Struc...