Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
