Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.