Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
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.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states 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 forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming 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 the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go 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 only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
