Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
