Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
