Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
