Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 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 failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team 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 Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
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 secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
