Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
