Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
