Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Preamble

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in 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. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.