Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till 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 own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
