Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins 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.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
