Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 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 grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. 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 winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
Donald Smith
Donald Smith

Elara is a tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.