Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
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 did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance 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 claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
