Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day ā as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following PĆ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
