Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
