Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until 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 just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
