Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration 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 tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
