Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with 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 Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
