Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
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 promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
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, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
