Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
