Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance 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 victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.