Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed 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 the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
