Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team 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 Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
