Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
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 a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
