Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
