Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
