Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.