Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren 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 second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
