Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final 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 consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
