Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value 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 in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
