Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. 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, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
