Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till 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 itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.