Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
