Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in 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.
Aston Martin'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 tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
