Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
