Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
