Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
