Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead 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 last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.