Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

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