Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
