Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant 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 Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
