Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, 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 begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
