Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins 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. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
