Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
