Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
