Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars 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-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
