Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
