Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 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 only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
