Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

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

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

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