Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint 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 just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
