Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Introduction

Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Period

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 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. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: 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 this weekend. George 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 did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.