How does F1 qualifying work?

Three knock-out rounds: the six slowest drop out in Q1 and Q2, and the ten fastest fight for pole in Q3.

Q1, Q2, Q3

All 22 cars start Q1 (18 minutes). The six slowest are out and fill grid places 17 to 22. Q2 (15 minutes) knocks out six more for places 11 to 16. The last ten have 12 minutes in Q3 to set the order of the top ten, and the fastest lap takes Pole position.

Why drivers wait to go out

The track gets faster as rubber goes down, so many cars wait for the final minutes. If a crash brings out a red flag at the end, the drivers who waited can be left without a lap.

The 107% rule

A driver whose Q1 lap is more than 7% slower than the fastest may not start, unless the stewards allow it, for example after a crash or a problem.

Is pole the same as starting first?

Usually. A Grid penalty can move the fastest qualifier back, and then the next driver starts first.

What if a lap is over the white lines?

It is deleted for Track limits, often in the last seconds, which can drop a driver out of a session.