Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
