Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate 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 now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
