Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
