Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
