Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

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

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. 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 enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.