How does Supercars qualifying work in 2025?

While championships are officially won in the race, drivers rely on qualifying well to give themselves the best shot at getting a strong result.

In 2025, three qualifying formats will be used to set the grid for the 34 races.

The popular Top Ten Shootout will be a staple of the season, while knockout qualifying returns. However, how drivers chase pole will look different in 2025.

Supercars.com breaks down how qualifying works in 2025, from formats to events.

Is there knockout qualifying, and when is it used?

Knockout qualifying is back in 2025, and will be used at 10 of 13 rounds.

There are two distinct knockout qualifying formats, simply named Format 2 and Format 3. So, what are they?

New for 2025, Format 2 is a two-part knockout qualifying format. All 24 drivers hit the track for Part 1, where the fastest 10 drivers go through to an all-in session in Part 2 to decide pole.

Format 2 will be used for the first race at Sydney, for the dual Saturday Super 440 races at Taupō, Tasmania, Perth, Darwin, Townsville, Ipswich, and the Friday race in Adelaide.

To increase the challenge for drivers and teams, Saturday Super 440 qualifying sessions will also be split across the Soft and Super Soft tyre, matching the corresponding race compound.

Format 3 is three-part knockout qualifying. All 24 cars hit the track for Part 1, and the slowest six are knocked out. 16 cars return for Part 2, and six more are knocked out. We're then left with 10 drivers, which progress to a Top Ten Shootout.

Format 3 will be used at Races 2 and 3 in Sydney; on Sunday in Taupō, Tasmania, Perth, Darwin, Townsville and Ipswich; at both races on the Gold Coast and at Sandown; and on Saturday and Sunday in Adelaide.

When will single sessions be used?

Format 1, which is a single qualifying session, returns in 2025.

Format 1 will only be used at Melbourne, The Bend, and Bathurst. Pole will be decided by a single qualifying session at the Grand Prix, while drivers will also qualify in a single session at The Bend and Bathurst.

However, single qualifying will only be provisional at the enduros, where a Top Ten Shootout will follow.

How many Shootouts will there be?

There will be 16 Top Ten Shootouts in 2025.

All rounds bar the Grand Prix will feature Shootouts.

As part of Format 3, drivers will contest Shootouts for Races 2 and 3 in Sydney; on Sunday in Taupō, Tasmania, Perth, Darwin, Townsville, and Ipswich, at both races on the Gold Coast and at Sandown; and on Saturday and Sunday in Adelaide.

Additionally, the 10 fastest drivers from the single qualifying session will contest a Shootout at the two Enduro Cup events in Tailem Bend and Bathurst.

What's up for grabs?

Obviously, all sessions determine the Boost Mobile Pole Position winner, who will start the race from grid position number one.

There’s over $100,000 in prize money to be won across the season, with the driver who wins the most Boost Mobile Poles crowned the Boost Mobile Pole Champion, and taking home a $50,000 prize.

Pole position winners in the Sprint Cup races will earn $1000 each, while winning pole in the Enduro Cup and Finals Series races will earn $5000 each.

2025 Repco Supercars Championship formats*

Key

Format 1: Single qualifying

Format 2: Two-part knockout qualifying

Format 3: Three-part knockout qualifying

TTSO: Top Ten Shootout

WU: Warm Up

^ Means a Session run under lights at dusk/night

* Subject to change