Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.