Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
