Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
