Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.