Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning 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: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage 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 start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
