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

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

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