Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
