Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.