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

Opening Notes

Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.