Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently 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 take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
