Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
