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

Preamble

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars 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-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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