Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
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 their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
