Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Preamble

Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles 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 position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty 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 significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.