Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
