Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
