Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
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
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
