Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
