Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
