Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage 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
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
