Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.