Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack 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 the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
