Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 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 as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.