Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
