Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
