Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.