Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
