Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
