Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.