Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
