Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start 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.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
