Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
