Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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 the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, 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 Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.