Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
Tina Whitehead
Tina Whitehead

A certified financial planner with over 15 years of experience, specializing in retirement planning and wealth management for UK residents.