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

Introduction

The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship 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 the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.