Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Preamble

The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.