Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
