Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
