Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
