It is nearly time for teams to start their engines and head onto the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 12th May signifies the start of the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500. But this year, the format looks a little different. As only 33 entrants will be participating, there will be no Last Chance Qualifying to bump drivers. Instead, INDYCAR has announced a change to the format of this year’s Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
Day One Sets The Field
As usual, Saturday’s full-field qualifying session will set the full grid for the race. Over nearly seven hours, the drivers will get their chance to advance to the second day. Without the fear of being bumped, everyone will be safe and guaranteed a starting position.
However, a minor change comes in who advances. Typically, the Top 12 go through to Sunday’s session to fight for pole. This year, though, sees the fastest of 15 advance. Consequently, this session sets the grid positions 16-33, instead of the usual P13-30. P1 through to P9 will be guaranteed a spot in the Top 12, whereas P10 to P15 will go through the new shootout session.
The New Fight For Pole on Day Two
Sundays usually see three qualifying sessions: Top 12, Last-Chance, and Firestone Fast Six. 2026 sees three sessions, but in a slightly altered format. With 15 drivers coming into Sunday, the new session sees a fight to get into the Top 12.
Following pre-qualifying practice now comes the Final 15 qualifying. This session is for the six drivers who finished Saturday in P10-15. In reverse order of their classification, each driver will have one attempt to be one of the three drivers to advance. It also will set positions 13-15 on the grid.
After this new session, qualifying remains the same. The Top 12 session sees all 12 drivers complete one attempt to advance. The three drivers who advanced from the preceding session go first, followed by those who placed ninth to first the day before. It sets positions 7-12 on the grid, and the fastest six advance.
The Firestone Fast Six is a one-attempt shootout for pole position. In reverse order of their times, drivers will have the track to themselves for the final time. Setting P1-6, this is where one driver will go down in the history of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Whoever sets the fastest four-lap average speed will be awarded the NTT P1 award and get the honour of leading the field to green.
The New Indianapolis 500 Qualifying Format
In some ways, the new format is very similar. Full field qualifying on Saturday, followed by three sessions ending in someone achieving pole position on Sunday. However, this year, instead of fighting not to be bumped, drivers gain an extra opportunity to fight for the pole. The timings for all sessions can be found below, but please note they are in CEST.
Saturday, 16th May
- Pre-qualifying Practice: 14:30-15:30
- Full-field Qualifying: 17:00-23:50pm
Sunday, 17th May
- Final 15 Practice: 19:00-20:00
- Top 12 Practice: 20:00-21:00
- Final 15 Qualifying: 22:00
- Top 12 Qualifying: 23:00
- Firestone Fast 6 Qualifying: 00:35