Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and 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 attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.