Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of 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
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
