Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.