Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
