Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Preamble

The author is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The last moments 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 challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.