Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
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 Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
