Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
