Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, 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 Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.