Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, 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 consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start 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 take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
