Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver 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's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
