Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate 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: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, 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 adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be 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 forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.