Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
