Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.