Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage

Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.