Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

The author will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed 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 failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.