Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
