Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in 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 car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of 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
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
