Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with 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 assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.