Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
