Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
