Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.