Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning 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: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, 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.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
