Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Opening Notes

The author is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.