Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. 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 Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.