Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
