Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then β as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
