Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted 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 Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says 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 dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
