Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
