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

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.