Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, 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 Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
