Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
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 Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
