Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
