Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with 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 the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
