Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, 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. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.