Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front 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.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.