Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
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, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
