Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
