Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair 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, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
