Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
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, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
