Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
