Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
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 interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup 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 the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
