Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, 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.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
