Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
