Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.