Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. 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 did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
