Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max 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 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 promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.