Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
