Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
