F2 and F3 Monaco Qualifying Format Explained

Written by Juan Arroyo, Edited by Sean McKean

Credit: Diederik Van der Laan / Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool

Formula 2 made changes to its usual qualifying structure ahead of the 2021 Monaco race to address traffic issues and potential incidents.

Due to the tight and narrow nature of the Principality's circuit, it becomes challenging for drivers to provide space for faster cars behind them, resulting in hazardous situations during practice and qualifying sessions.

To mitigate these concerns, the qualifying sessions will be divided into two groups. Drivers with even numbers will participate in Group A, the first 16-minute session, while those with odd numbers will qualify in Group B, the subsequent session.

Each group starts on different sides of the grid. The driver who records the fastest time between both groups secures the pole position, while the fastest driver from the other group starts second. The remaining grid positions follow this alternating pattern.

For context, here is an overview of last year's grid configuration:

2022 Formula 2 Monaco Qualifying
Position	Driver	Time	Group
1	Liam Lawson	1m21.229s	A
2	Theo Pourchaire	1m21.535s	B
3	Ayumu Iwasa	1m21.288s	A
4	Juri Vips	1m21.618s	B
5	Felipe Drugovich	1m21.348s	A
6	Enzo Fittipaldi	1m21.719s	B
7	Jack Doohan	1m21.432s	A
8	Jehan Daruvala	1m21.928s	B
9	Marcus Armstrong	1m21.734s	A
10	Jake Hughes	1m22.011s	B
11	Dennis Hauger	1m21.817s	A
12	Roy Nissany	1m22.017s	B
13	Ralph Boschung	1m21.859s	A
14	Logan Sargeant	1m22.072s	B
15	Calan Williams	1m21.985s	A
16	Clement Novalak	1m23.180s	B
17	Frederik Vesti	1m22.703s	A
18	Marino Sato	1m23.241s	B
19	Amaury Cordeel	1m22.762s	A
20	Olli Caldwell	1m23.498s	B
21	Cem Bolukbasi	1m24.150s	A
22	Richard Verschoor	1m29.993s	B

This upcoming race marks Formula 3's first visit to Monaco, a "return" since its predecessor GP3 last competed on the iconic circuit.