Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.