Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm 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 F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
