Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.