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

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.