Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles 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 grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
