Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer 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 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
