Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
