Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says 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 constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
