Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping 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 the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race 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.
