Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
