Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
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 Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team 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 Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
