Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
