Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
