Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
