Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.