Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage 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.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
