Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
