Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
