Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then ā as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following PĆ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
