Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming 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.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
