Glossary
What does DNS mean in F1?
Answer
DNS stands for 'did not start'. It marks a driver who qualified or was entered for a Formula 1 race but was unable to take the start, for example after a crash on the way to the grid, a mechanical failure on the formation lap, or a withdrawal on medical or safety grounds.
What DNS means
DNS means "did not start": the driver made it onto the entry or qualifying list but never began the race itself, whether through damage on the way to the grid, a failure on the formation lap, or a withdrawal on safety or medical grounds.[1] It differs from a DNF, where the driver started the race and then retired before the finish.[2]
Related reading
Related reading
Sources
- [1]F1 glossary (Formula1.com) (formula1). Accessed 2026-06-19.
- [2]What DNS, DNF, DNQ and DSQ mean in F1 (Flow Racers) (flowracers). Accessed 2026-06-19.
Published 2026-06-19