Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, 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 Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.