Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
