Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
