Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position 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 begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
