Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
