Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.