Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Preamble

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.