Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

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

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing 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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.