Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins 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 take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
