Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
