Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments 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 lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
