Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup 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.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
