Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
