Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles 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 Q1 again on Friday. The team 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 duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
