Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until 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 awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

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