Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
