Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
