Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 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-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance 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 the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
