Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, 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 two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
