Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
