Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.