Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
