Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
