Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.