Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
