Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
