Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting 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 final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
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 Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.