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

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

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