Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
