Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.