Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion 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 the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's 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. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
