Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
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 start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
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 an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
