Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Opening Notes

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.