Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
