Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
