Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
