Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with 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 assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, 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. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
