Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.