Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.