Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 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-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
