Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Introduction

Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

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

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

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

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.