Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
