Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
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 Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
