Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
