Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
