Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
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 team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
