Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
