Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver 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 currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
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 their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
