Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"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
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
