Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
