Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"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 drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.