Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation 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.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
