Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with 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, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining 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 own right, with only eight points available 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 after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
