Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 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, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
