Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping 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.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
