Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Introduction

Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was 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 main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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