Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team 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 duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
