Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.