Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out 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 pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
