Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping 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 Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
