Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
