Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

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

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

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.