Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
