Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.