Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren 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 this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.