Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, 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 pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
