Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team 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 the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
