Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
