Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
