Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed 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 duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
