Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
