Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Opening Notes

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

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

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

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

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

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

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

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.