Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate 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 currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.