Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session 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 Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
