Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
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 interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
