Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, 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 will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
