Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
