Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
