Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team 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 the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
