Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.