Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles 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 grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
