Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.