Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team 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 Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed 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. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
