Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. 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 just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
