Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
