Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
