Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
