Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
