Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, 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 – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
