Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration 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.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
