Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
