Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles 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 position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
