Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Introduction

The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.