Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
