Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication 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 Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
