Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
