Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal 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
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
