Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
