Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," 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 the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.