Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, 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. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
