Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of 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. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
