Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
