Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
