Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst 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
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
