Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. 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 Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded 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 following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
