Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 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 did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
