Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Opening Notes

The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.