Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst 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 Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient 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.
