Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to 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 made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
