🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage Opening Notes Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap has started. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown is on. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. 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 advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.