Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren 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. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
