Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, 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 Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint 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. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
