Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.