Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 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 position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," 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 Mercedes, 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 Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
