Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in 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 lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
