Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication 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 here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
