Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. 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 duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

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, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.