Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong 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 Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
