Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was 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 did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
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
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
