Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
