Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Introduction

Philip is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

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

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer 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: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.