Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
