Hamilton to Start Last as Alpine Duo Begin Qatar Sprint from Pit Lane

Two changes have been made to the starting grid for the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix Sprint, with both Alpine drivers, Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto, opting for a pit lane start. This decision, stemming from set-up changes made under Parc Fermé conditions, means Lewis Hamilton will now line up as the last car on the grid.

Why it matters:

This grid shake-up, though minor in terms of initial positions for other drivers, highlights the critical strategic choices teams make even for sprint races. For Alpine, starting from the pit lane allows them to optimize their car's setup for the unique demands of the Losail International Circuit, potentially sacrificing initial track position for better long-run performance or specific race conditions. For Hamilton, being the last car on the grid presents an even tougher challenge to gain positions in what is already a short, intense sprint.

The details:

• Pit Lane Start for Alpine: Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto will commence the Qatar Sprint from the pit lane. This was confirmed by the Alpine team ahead of the session.
• Parc Fermé Breaches: The reason for the pit lane start is due to set-up changes made to both Alpine cars while under Parc Fermé regulations. Such changes typically incur penalties, with a pit lane start being a common consequence.
• No Grid Position Gains: As Gasly and Colapinto had qualified 19th and 20th respectively, their move to the pit lane does not translate into other drivers gaining a position on the main grid. This is because they were already at the very back.
• Hamilton's New Position: Consequently, Lewis Hamilton, who had originally qualified 18th, will now be the final driver to take his place on the physical grid, effectively starting behind everyone else who lined up, with the Alpines starting from the pit lane.

The big picture:

Teams often make calculated risks by breaking Parc Fermé to adapt their cars, especially when they anticipate challenging race conditions or believe a different setup could yield significant performance benefits. While starting from the pit lane is a disadvantage, it can sometimes be seen as the lesser of two evils if the alternative is racing with a suboptimal setup that severely compromises pace or tire management. This move from Alpine suggests they are prioritizing a specific race strategy over starting grid position for the sprint.

What's next:

The sprint race at the Losail International Circuit will be crucial for understanding the impact of Alpine's strategic decision. All eyes will be on Gasly and Colapinto to see if their setup changes allow them to make significant progress from the pit lane. For Lewis Hamilton, it will be a test of his race craft to see how many positions he can recover from the very back of the main grid in the short sprint format.