Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Opening Notes

Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.