Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.