Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
