Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
