Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates

Introduction

Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

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 Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.