Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
