Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.