Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says 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 dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
