Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
