Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
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, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
