Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
