Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.