Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 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 position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
