Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
