Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
