Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
