Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates

Introduction

The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles 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 failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.