Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, 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.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
