Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on 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

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.