Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect 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, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
