Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed 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 starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: 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 this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
