Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
