Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, 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 made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

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 their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.