Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
