Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day β as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after PΓ©rez crashes out of the short race.
