Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
