Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates

Introduction

The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.