Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
