Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to 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 consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance 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," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
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, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
