Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead 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.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until 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 itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
