Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, 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 as a result 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 Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
