Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
