Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
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, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
