Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: 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. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead 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 managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
