Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
