Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
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 main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. 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 awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
