Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.