Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.