Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
