Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying 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 Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
