Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
