Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
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
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage 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 start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, 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 winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
