Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.