Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates

Opening Notes

Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.