Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.