Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
