Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
