Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
