Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.