Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front 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 with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
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, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
