Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 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 consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George 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. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication 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 become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
