Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
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. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
