Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
