Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.