Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with 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 the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out 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 Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
