Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
