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

Opening Notes

Philip is arriving soon to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with 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 help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.