Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
