Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 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 main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
