π Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates Introduction Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Time The starting lap has begun. Track Information There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us. Final Moments The countdown is on. 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 interfere with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day β as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title following PΓ©rez crashes out of the short race.