Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
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 adjusted 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 starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. 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 awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
