Qatar Grand Prix 2025: Sprint Race Live Coverage

The 2025 Qatar Grand Prix weekend continues with the much-anticipated Sprint race kicking off Saturday's F1 action, followed by the main Qualifying session. McLaren's Oscar Piastri secured a surprise pole position for the Sprint, with key title contenders Lando Norris and Max Verstappen facing challenges after making crucial errors in Sprint Qualifying.

Why it matters:

This Sprint race is critical for drivers looking to gain valuable points and momentum ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix. For McLaren, Piastri's pole position offers a golden opportunity to challenge for a win and close the gap on rivals, while Verstappen's sixth-place start means he'll have to fight through the field, testing both his skill and the Red Bull RB21's race pace.

The Details:

• Sprint Race Schedule: The Sprint race at the Losail International Circuit is scheduled to begin at 14:00 BST (17:00 local time).
• Sprint Qualifying Results: Oscar Piastri secured pole position, with Mercedes' George Russell starting alongside him on the front row. Lando Norris qualified third.
• Driver Errors: Piastri admitted a significant mistake in Turn 4 during his pole lap, stating he 'lost two tenths.' Norris also went wide in the final corner of his last SQ3 lap, while Verstappen made an error in Turn 4 on his first attempt, resulting in a sixth-place start.
• Overtaking Concerns: Both Norris and Verstappen have expressed doubts about their ability to make significant progress during the Sprint due to the circuit's characteristics. Norris expects to finish third, while Verstappen aims to 'survive' the Sprint and make adjustments for the main Qualifying session.
• Subsequent Sessions: Following the F1 Sprint, the F2 Sprint race will take place at 16:20 BST, and the main F1 Qualifying session is scheduled for 18:00 BST (21:00 local time).

What's next:

The focus immediately shifts to the Sprint race itself, where strategies for tire management and overtakes will be paramount. After the Sprint, teams will analyze data to fine-tune setups for the main Qualifying session later today, which will determine the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. Verstappen's performance in the Sprint will be particularly scrutinized as he looks to recover from his qualifying setback and find a better balance for his RB21.