Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles 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 main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take 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: 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 this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
