Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
