Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.