Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
