Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
