Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
