Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
