F1 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race starting grid with penalties applied

The first race of the F1 weekend gets underway TODAY (Saturday, November 29) and the starting grid for the Qatar Grand Prix sprint race has now been confirmed.

The Lusail International Circuit plays host to the 19-lap race on Saturday, before attentions will switch to the main race, with grand prix qualifying later on Saturday evening local time (AST).

In a crucial Friday for his fading title hopes, Oscar Piastri put his McLaren car on pole position for the sprint race, pipping Mercedes' George Russell, with his championship rivals down in third and sixth respectively.

Team-mate Lando Norris - who can win the title this weekend - will start on the second row, while four-time world champion Max Verstappen is behind his Red Bull team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, and Fernando Alonso.

There are eight points on offer to the winner in Saturday's sprint race, and there are currently 24 points between Norris and Piastri and Verstappen, who are level on points.

Therefore, the Qatar GP sprint race really could have huge title implications, and here is the full starting grid for the Qatar GP sprint race on Saturday.

F1 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race starting grid

*Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), Franco Colapinto, Pierre Gasly (both Alpine) will start from the pit-lane.

F1 Sprint Race times - Qatar Grand Prix

The first race of the Qatar GP weekend takes place today (Saturday, November 29) at 5pm local time (AST).

After that, attention will switch onto main race qualifying, later on Saturday evening.

Find the sprint race start time converted to your local time zone below:

Qatar Grand Prix 2025 Session Times

Sprint Race - Saturday, November 29, 2025

How to watch the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint Race live on TV today

Broadcast details vary depending on your location. Check below to see how to tune in for some major countries:

Where to watch: F1 2025 broadcasters by region

F1TV Pro also carries coverage of the sport, depending on which territory you are in.

Black Friday has arrived and ExpressVPN have launched a limited-time promotion offering an additional 30% off 12 and 24-month plans until December 1. Click here to get your hands on this global deal and sign up to a secure network.

Please note that if you click on the above product link we may earn a small affiliate commission.

F1 HEADLINES: Verstappen confirms Horner talks as champion issues bold declaration over future

Written by

Sam Cook - Digital Journalist

Sam Cook is a talented young sports journalist and social media professional who now specialises in Formula 1, having previously worked as a football journalist and a local news reporter for a variety of different brands.

View full biography

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

How Max Verstappen nearly caused Lewis Hamilton to retire from F1

• Today 08:57

F1 News Today: Christian Horner 'in talks' for return as team boss opens door for Mercedes split

• Today 07:59

F1 is killing itself as Monaco Grand Prix change highlights huge problem

• 15 minutes ago

Lance Stroll takes Aston Martin F1 team out for meal after Canadian GP disaster

• 1 hour ago

FIA to issue Monaco Grand Prix speed limit for F1 drivers

• 2 hours ago

Have the worst F1 team on the grid just become good?

• 3 hours ago