Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
