Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
