Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
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 position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
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 dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
