Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
