Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.