Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, 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 start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.