Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, 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 Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
