Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
