Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
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 the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.