Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
