Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles 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 main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
