Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up 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, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, 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. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
