Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient 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.
