Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage

Introduction

The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.