Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
