Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
