Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
