Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
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 experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.