Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi 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 attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
