Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
