Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with 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 position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
