Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
