Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
