Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 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, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
