Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with 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 the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go 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 itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.