Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.