Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
