Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
